Ornamental Peppers: Edible but Hot; Watch for Jerusalem Cherry

A reader has a plant with dark green/purple leaves, small red and purple peppers (~1 inch). Asks if edible.

Yes, all ornamental peppers are edible but very hot. Smaller = hotter. Good for cooking.

Jerusalem Cherry looks similar but has round, bright orange fruit—highly poisonous.

Pot and bring indoors for winter; keep dry. Will produce more second year.

House Plants: Growing Miniature Pepper Plants Indoors and Out; Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Indoor Care: Sun, Water, Temporary Beauty; Ornamental Pepper Plant Care: Indoor/Outdoor, Repotting, and Safety; Overwintering Jalapeño Plants in Cold Climates; Three-Year Jalapeño Producing Bell-Shaped Fruit: Age and Genetics; Potted Pepper Blossom Drop: Water Consistency and Temperature; Can a Dog-Uprooted Pepper Plant Be Saved?; Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum): Festive Winter Berries—But Toxic!; Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum annuum): Colorful but Short-Lived Holiday Display; Growing Peppers: Colorful, Flavorful Heat for Every Palate

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