Fish Hot Pepper is a striking African American heirloom with a story as compelling as its appearance. This Capsicum annuum cultivar was rediscovered by seed historian William Woys Weaver in his grandfather's seed collection, a gift exchanged between his grandfather and artist Horace Pippin as payment for bee sting therapy. The plant produces stunningly variegated foliage and fruits that range from dark green to white, creating a visually arresting display in the garden. Reaching just 24 inches tall with a 18-inch spread, it matures in just 65 days and thrives in full sun with moderate water, making it accessible even to newer gardeners.
Full Sun
Moderate
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24in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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The real draw here is the variegation. Leaves and fruits display contrasting patterns of dark green and white, though the intensity varies from plant to plant, adding an element of delightful unpredictability to your garden. You'll get fruit that ranges from pale to white tones, creating an unusual visual harvest. The compact 24-inch height and quick 65-day maturity make this a practical choice for small spaces, yet the plant's historical significance and striking appearance elevate it beyond a simple productivity play.
As a hot pepper, Fish Hot Pepper would be used much like other culinary peppers in the Capsicum annuum species, fresh or dried, in hot sauces, seasoning blends, and cooked dishes where heat and pepper flavor are desired. The compact plant size and ornamental variegated appearance also make it suitable for container gardening on patios or windowsills, where it serves a dual purpose as both a productive and visually striking plant.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch in seed-starting mix and maintain soil temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Seeds typically germinate in 7 to 14 days under these conditions.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before transplanting. Move plants outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature has reached at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally warmer. Space transplants 18 inches apart, with 24 inches between rows. Handle seedlings gently to avoid disturbing the root system.
Peppers can be harvested at any stage from green to their mature white color. For maximum yield, pick peppers regularly once they reach usable size, as removing mature fruit encourages the plant to continue producing. The 65-day maturity timing indicates when first peppers should be ready to harvest from transplant date. Harvest by cutting peppers from the plant with a knife or pruners rather than pulling them by hand, which can damage stems.
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“Fish Hot Pepper carries within it a remarkable human story. William Woys Weaver, the renowned seed historian and food preservation expert, discovered this variety among his grandfather's seed collection. The seeds had come to his grandfather as a gift from the artist and muralist Horace Pippin, given in exchange for bee sting therapy, a folk remedy once used to treat arthritis. This seed was one of many that Weaver's grandfather carefully preserved, and through Weaver's tireless work in documenting and reintroducing African American heirloom vegetables, Fish Hot Pepper has been returned to the commercial seed market. It stands as tangible proof of the deep agricultural heritage within Black American gardening traditions, a variety nearly lost to time but recovered through one family's dedication to seed keeping.”