Tiny Ornamental Pepper Plants

Light Requirements

• Ornamental peppers grow best when placed in full, direct sunlight. Insufficient sunlight results in sparse fruiting and reduced plant vigor. However, in regions with harsh summers, ornamental peppers may benefit from partial shade from the intense late afternoon sun. For ornamental pepper plants kept indoors, place the plant in front of a bright, south-facing window. If there isn't an area of the home that receives adequate lighting, use artificial lights. Allow the plant to receive 13 to 15 hours of artificial light each day.

Soil and Fertilizer

• Ornamental pepper plants can tolerate a variety of soils, but they grow best in soil that is moderately rich, full of organic matter and well-drained. A pH level between 6.0 and 6.8 is preferable. If you're transplanting them to the garden, allow the soil to become warm first. Planting ornamental peppers in cold soil drastically decreases plant growth for the entire growing season. Wait until the soil temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit before planting. Fertilize the plant at the start of the growing season and again after flowers have set. Use a low-nitrogen formula such as 5-10-10 or its equivalent.

Water Requirements

• Ornamental pepper plants are fairly drought-tolerant, but the plants that fruit profusely benefit from soil that remains lightly and evenly moist. This is especially important when the flowers bloom and fruit begins to set. An insufficient amount of moisture causes the flowers to drop and few fruits to grow. Avoid overhead watering, which breeds diseases and washes away pollen. Also refrain from over-watering the plant, which can cause root rot.

Pest Control

• Proper cultivation practices usually keep ornamental pepper plants healthy and fruitful. However, you may find a few pests on your ornamental peppers. Aphids are tiny pear-shaped insects that form in clusters on the leaves' undersides and on the stems. They suck the plant's juices and cause the leaves to turn yellow and mottled. Spider mites are found more on outdoor plants because they thrive in hot, arid conditions. These microscopic pests are reddish-brown and spin fine webbing in between leaves. They cause the same damage as aphids by sucking the leaves' plant juices. Insecticidal soaps are effective solutions for both of these pests. Leaf-chewing insects such as various caterpillar species and cutworms are an occasional ornamental pepper pest. Applying the microbial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, or BTK, kills these pests.

Disease Control

• Mosaic virus is one of the most commonly found ornamental pepper diseases. It's generally transmitted by aphids. Unfortunately, once the plant is infected with the virus, it cannot be cured and should be removed immediately to avoid contaminating any surrounding plants. Avoid contracting the disease by controlling pests. Bacterial leaf spot may also infect ornamental peppers. It's caused by insufficient air circulation and overhead watering. Remove infected plant areas and apply a copper-based fungicide to halt further spread of the infection.