Black Pearl

Family: Solanaceae Ornamental Pepper

Indigo-black, glossy “pearls” hang like polished beads from sturdy stems, offering a striking, lantern-bright contrast against the foliage.

Black Pearl peppers develop a smooth, firm skin and a compact, rounded shape that ripens from deep green to near-black with a subtle, peppery bite that’s as bold as its color. Grow for show in beds and containers—ideal for ornamental displays and vivid, living color that matures in about 80 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Bush

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Pearl’s compact, firm pods keep their shape, so the heat reads crisp and immediate—great when you want pepper flavor without mushy texture. The dark, near-black ripeness gives a clean, pepper-forward bite that plays nicely with sour fats like lime and vinegar.

Best Uses

quick-pickled pepper “pearls” for pop-and-go acidity
thin-sliced garnish on tacos, flatbreads, and smoked meats
chopped into a flash-fry oil to perfume heat without turning bitter
stuffing and oven-roasting until the skin blisters and the interior softens

Flavor Profile

sharp peppery bite glossy-firm flesh with a clean snap near-smoky, slightly sweet heat as it ripens dark bright, fast heat that stays up front rather than lingering

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic smoked paprika black beans chicken (or pork) white vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

Black Pearl (black cherry) tomato: what should I do if I see blossom-end rot or gray, fuzzy fruit spots?

Blossom-end rot shows as dark, sunken patches at the bottom of the fruit—fix it by keeping soil evenly moist and feeding with calcium-rich tomato fertilizer (don’t lime mid-season). Gray, fuzzy spots are usually Botrytis or other fruit rots—remove infected fruit immediately, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid wetting fruit and leaves during watering.

How often should I water Black Pearl during the main growing phase (after flowering), and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

From flowering through fruit set, water when the top 1 inch of soil dries, typically every 2–4 days in warm weather. Aim for consistently moist (not soggy) soil—deeply soak the root zone, then let excess drain so the soil doesn’t stay wet around the stems.

How can I tell when Black Pearl is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits turn glossy black to near-black and the skins look firm but slightly yielding when gently squeezed. If you can’t easily tell color change or it’s still matte or reddish-brown inside the stem area, leave it on the plant a few more days—Black Pearl often needs full dark color for best sweetness.