Chilli 'Zimbabwe Black' – Ornamental Chilli Pepper (2L Pot)

Chilli 'Zimbabwe Black' is an African heirloom grown as much for its dark foliage as for its fruit.

The leaves are a deep purple black and the fruit emerges glossy black before ripening to vivid red, so a single plant carries both colours at once. The heat is medium, which suits hot sauces, stir fries and salsas. Plants make a compact, upright bush around 60 to 90cm tall and 40 to 60cm across, cropping from mid summer into late autumn. It does as well on a bright windowsill indoors as it does in a greenhouse or on a sheltered patio.

Supplied as one well established plant in a 2L pot, ready to pot on or plant out once the risk of frost has passed. Give it the warmest, sunniest spot you have, water regularly and feed with a high potassium feed once the first fruit sets. Chillies are not hardy and are killed by the first frost, so keep plants under cover until the nights are warm and bring them in again before the weather turns. A sunny windowsill or a conservatory suits them as well as a sheltered patio. Pinch out the growing tip at around 30cm for a bushier plant and a heavier crop.

Chilli fruit and foliage can irritate the skin and eyes, and can cause irritation if eaten, so wash your hands after picking and keep plants out of reach of children and pets.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Chilli pepper
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 60 to 90cm tall by 40 to 60cm across
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy and upright
• Perfect For: Patio pots, containers, greenhouses, conservatories and a sunny windowsill
• Foliage: Dark purple black leaves
• Flowering Time: Summer, with fruit from mid summer to late autumn
• Planting Position: Full sun in a warm, sheltered spot. Grows well in a pot or container
• Soil Type: Fertile, moisture retentive and well drained
• Hardiness: Not hardy. Killed by the first frost, so plant out only once the frosts have passed
• Maintenance: Low to moderate. Water regularly, feed with a high potassium feed once the first fruit sets and pick often to keep the crop coming
• Seasonal Interest: Spring, summer and autumn
• Type: Tender annual, grown as an annual in Britain

Free UK Delivery on Every Order

All orders placed Monday–Thursday before 2pm are packed the next working day and delivered within 24 hours of dispatch.

Example: Order on Monday → packed Tuesday → delivered Wednesday.

Orders placed Friday–Sunday are packed and shipped on Monday. We don't dispatch on weekends to ensure your plants travel fresh.

How Your Plants Arrive
Every plant is individually wrapped in our plastic-free packaging and secured in a custom box designed to keep them upright and protected in transit. If anything arrives damaged, get in touch — we'll replace it.

Returns
Not happy? Contact us within 14 days of delivery and we'll sort it out. See our full returns policy here.