A review of the best varieties of unusual peppers

Sweet and hot peppers are loved by almost every family. They are used fresh, in salads, canned, stuffed, and frozen. In addition to the familiar varieties, peppers of amazing colors and shapes are increasingly being discovered not in botanical gardens or at breeder exhibitions, but in ordinary garden plots.

Besides being aesthetically pleasing, unusual pepper varieties boast unique flavors and aromas, so be sure to give them a try. We'll discuss the most popular varieties and what to consider when growing them below.

Description and characteristics of rare pepper varieties

Most unusual pepper varieties are very demanding when it comes to environmental conditions. Choose a site with maximum sun exposure for planting, but avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause sunburn. It's also important to protect the plants from drafts. If there are no tall pepper plants nearby that can provide this protection, consider providing shelter in advance, using a special shade net to protect them from the sun.

Soil composition is crucial. It should be not only fertile but also loose. It's prepared in the fall. Carefully remove crop residues, dig in manure or compost, and then cover the soil with a thick layer of fallen leaves. Over the winter, this will rot and become an excellent soil amendment. In the spring, all that's left to do is loosen the bed and plant the seedlings.

It is grown according to a standard method. Seeds are planted in separate containers in late February or early March. During the growing season, two additional fertilizers are applied (one organic, one mineral). Hardening is carried out before transplanting into the ground or greenhouse. These are general guidelines, but if you choose a specific, unusual variety, it's best to research it in more detail. Growing practices can vary significantly.

Unusual hot pepper

Hot peppers come in varying degrees of spiciness. Some varieties are simply uneatable when fresh, while others have a rather mild flavor.

Black olive

This pepper variety got its name from its striking appearance. Indeed, it looks very much like an olive. The peppercorns are small, oval, black, and turn red when ripe. The bushes are lush and low (55-65 cm). The dark purple leaves have an elegant, decorative shape, further highlighting the uniqueness of the fruit.

Very pungent and hot. It's used primarily for making spicy marinades, sauces, and ketchups. It has no special growing or environmental requirements.

Filius Blue

A very attractive plant. The bush is short, never growing more than 45-50 cm. However, it is quite lush and spreading, and continues to grow even during the fruiting season. To fully enjoy its beauty, plant the seedlings 80-90 cm apart.

The leaves on the bush are purple with clearly visible veins. The fruits themselves are initially purple, then gradually change to yellow, then dark orange, and by the time they reach biological maturity, they become bright red. Considering that they ripen gradually rather than simultaneously, the decorative effect is stunning.

If you pick a purple peppercorn, it will be impossible to eat it due to its strong heat, but as it approaches the red color, the heat fades and softens.

Chilly Willy

This pepper has a very unique shape. It's quite expensive and rare. It's worth noting that many people grow this pepper variety purely for ornamental purposes, unaware that the fruit is edible.

It can be grown in a greenhouse, open ground, or indoors on a windowsill year-round. However, in the latter case, you should be prepared to harvest only once every year or year and a half.

The fruit can be green, yellow, or red. The skin is thick and glossy. The spiciness is moderate. It can be eaten fresh, dried, frozen, or canned.

Yellow Mushroom

This pepper is quite common among unusual plant enthusiasts and breeders. It is distinguished by its rich yellow color and unique mushroom-shaped fruit. It ranges in size from 3 to 6 cm. Its spiciness is moderate.

The bush is low, decorative, yet very lush. This variety is highly productive, but requires a lot of warmth and light.

Unusual sweet pepper

Be sure to choose the most suitable sweet pepper variety for you from those listed below. The unique fruit shape, pleasant taste, and unique aroma will be your best reward.

Ingrid

This mid-season hybrid, a rich chocolate color, instantly captures attention. It's cube-shaped, and each fruit weighs approximately 220 grams. The walls are thick, up to a centimeter. The flesh is juicy and sweet, with a lingering aftertaste.

The bush reaches a height of a meter or more, is very vigorous and spreading. It requires support.

To obtain a good harvest, you need a stable air temperature, moderate humidity, regular loosening of the soil and frequent use of complex fertilizers.

Blot

Anyone who remembers what a "blot" looks like will immediately understand why this pepper variety got its name. This mid-season hybrid allows for harvesting 130-135 days after the first shoots emerge.

The bush is medium-height. The fruits are juicy purple, very attractive, and weigh about 130-140 grams. The average yield per square meter is 3.5-4 kg.

The variety requires stable air temperature, normal lighting and fertile soil.

Kolobok

This sweet pepper variety is a semi-standard variety. The bush doesn't grow taller than 45 cm and has a large number of leaves. The fruits are almost completely round, very attractive, and red when biologically ripe. They weigh up to 170 grams. An average yield of 5-6 kg of pepper per square meter is possible, but only with regular fertilizing, proper watering, and soil loosening.

It is distinguished by its rich aroma and increased resistance to diseases and pests.

White Cloud

At first glance, this variety doesn't seem to differ from its relatives in any way, except for its shorter, rounder shape. But wait until it reaches technical maturity. At this point, it becomes almost snow-white, gradually changing to orange and then red. Each pepper weighs approximately 150 grams.

The bushes are of medium height, but due to the large number of fruits they require garters.

The pepper is very sweet and juicy, with a thick wall, which significantly extends its shelf life and improves its resistance to transportation. It is not demanding in terms of growing conditions, but is best grown in a greenhouse.

Snowwhite

This is an early-ripening hybrid. The variety is characterized by high yields, but can only be grown in greenhouses. Outdoor harvests are only possible in southern regions with consistently warm climates, and even then, not always.

It got its name for its white color at the moment of technical maturity, and only over time did breeders discover that by the time of biological maturity the pepper turns bright orange.

The flavor is rich and sweet. It is resistant to diseases and pests. Its lush foliage helps maintain the right moisture level for the fruit.

Tamina

An early hybrid suitable for both open and closed ground cultivation. The first fruits can be tasted 60-65 days after emergence. The bush is short but quite vigorous. The fruits are juicy, sweet, and sometimes slightly spicy. The walls are up to 8 mm thick.

They have an attractive appearance, store well, and can be easily transported over long distances. They are used fresh, frozen, and canned.

Reviews

Nadezhda Nikolaevna, 57 years old

Bell peppers are my weakness. I grow quite a few different varieties in my garden. I try to choose ones that alternate in season and are attractive. A couple of years ago, I saw an ornamental pepper at a party. The fruit was multicolored, and the bush was lush. It was a real eye-catcher not just for the windowsill, but for the entire room. I asked for a few peppers, harvested the seeds myself, and tried to grow them. But nothing worked. Then I found some in stores, and this time everything worked. I haven't tried growing them in a garden bed, but on a windowsill in winter, they're a real treat.

Natalia, 32 years old

I love hot peppers. I've been harvesting, freezing, and canning them since summer, but they still lose their flavor. This year I bought a potted version, the "Olive" variety. The downside is the small size of the fruit, but the plants are so gorgeous I can't stop admiring them. And the fact that I have my favorite hot pepper growing on my windowsill all year round is a definite plus. They say you can plant them in the garden too. I'll definitely have to try that.

Break away from tradition, take a risk, and plant unusual varieties of sweet and hot peppers in your garden. Believe me, after just one try, they'll become permanent fixtures in your garden.