Website: https://bohicapepperhut.com/products/black-pearl-seeds?_pos=1&_psq=black+pear&_ss=e&_v=1.0
~10 seeds
Description
The Black Pearl is a gorgeous pepper plant worth showing off. This ornamental pepper plant has dark foliage, and boasts clusters of shiny black pea to marble sized peppers that mature into a bright red. It is the winner of both the 2005 Fleuroselect Quality Mark and a 2006 All-America Selection Award. They are not terribly hot but the heat tends to build slowly but lasts an extremely long time. Has a faint citrus flavor. Definitely an attention grabber. 10,000 – 30,000 Scoville heat units – Medium.
Variety info
Days to Maturity: 70-85 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Scientific name: Capsicum Annuum
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive perennial grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions 14” tall
Variety Info: About the size of a dime to nickel. Starts off purple and ripens to red. The website notes a faint citrus flavor, but the purple ones I tasted gave more of a floral note.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: For Mild Climates only: 2 to 4 weeks after average last frost, when soil temperature is at least 70°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. This plant germinates in 7 to 40 days to plant 10 to 12 weeks before transplanting. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°–85°F. Transplant seedlings outside 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when daytime temperatures are at least 70°F, and nighttime temperatures are at least 55°F. Mild Climates: May be sown in late summer for fall/winter crop.
Days to Emerge: 10–25 days
Seed Depth: 1/2”
Seed Spacing: Start indoors
Row Spacing: 24”–36”
Thinning: Start indoors, plant seedlings 14”–16” apart outside
Growing Info
Harvesting: As they are more of a decorative plant there is no recommended harvest.
Bohica Pepper Hut - Pepper Growing Tips
Link to original
- Germination: Peppers need heat and light to germinate. Use mini incubators, sunny window ledges, or heating mats. Try the double cup method: Place a cup with holes inside another, fill with rich soil, water generously, and plant seeds 1/4 inch deep. Cover with plastic wrap for a mini greenhouse effect. Avoid overwatering to prevent seed rot. Germination takes 7 days to 4-6 weeks.
- Maintenance: Mist soil as needed and keep seeds warm and/or sunny. Avoid fertilizing at this stage. For incubators, open the lid every 2 days for air circulation. Balance moisture carefully—too wet or too dry can harm sprouts.
- Seedlings: When seedlings reach 6-8 leaves or 3-4 inches, transplant to pots with compost. Handle roots gently, compact soil lightly, and water thoroughly. Begin feeding with a low-strength fertilizer and gradually increase as plants grow. Maintain temperature around 80 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.
- Transplanting Outside: For outdoor planting, “harden off” plants by gradually exposing them to sunlight over 1-2 weeks, increasing time daily. Start with 30-60 minutes in the sun, recover in the shade, and ensure abundant watering. Fully acclimated plants can handle 8 hours of sun without wilting.
- For additional in depth instructions please visit our FAQ page at: https://bohicapepperhut.com/pages/faqs
Notes
Due to how late peppers came in for 2025 season I did not get any to fully ripen to red. As noted in Variety info, I found the peppers to be more floral than citrus note. While they are manageable to eat raw they are pretty harsh coming out the other end.
I had some serious difficulties getting this pepper to germinate. Given the more ornamental than culinary nature of this plant I will not be growing any in the 2026 season.