Yes. Explosive Ember is an ornamental Capsicum annuum whose fruit is edible, but it is grown primarily for colour and can be quite hot. Use only plants produced for food without pesticides unapproved for edible crops. Wear gloves, taste a very small amount before adding it to a recipe, and keep fruit away from children. Discard anything with unknown treatment, mould, or abnormal odour.
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Organic compact ornamental edible non-open-pollinated pepper
Solanaceae
Organic hot pepper seeds
Organic ‘Explosive Ember’ hot pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Explosive Ember’)
Capsicum annuum ‘Explosive Ember’
‘Explosive Ember’ is a compact organic pepper with dark purple foliage and small upright fruit changing from purple through cream and orange to red. Ornamental yet edible and hot, it suits containers, borders, and small gardens. The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 10 seeds, height of 25–35 cm, spread of 40 cm, germination in 7–14 days at 24–30°C, and harvest around 85 days after transplanting. The seed is neither heirloom nor open-pollinated.
Quantity
About 10 seeds
Exposure
Full sun in a warm sheltered location
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Species
annuum
Cultivar
Explosive Ember
Type
Organic compact ornamental edible non-open-pollinated pepper
Cycle
Annual in Quebec climates; frost-tender perennial where frost-free
Organic ‘Explosive Ember’ hot pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Explosive Ember’) is a compact densely branching edible ornamental pepper. Dark purple foliage frames numerous small upright fruit changing from purple through cream and orange to bright red. The plant therefore creates a long multicoloured display even in limited space. Fruit is genuinely hot despite its decorative role. The supplier workbook identifies the seed as neither heirloom nor open-pollinated.
Sow indoors February through April, approximately eight to ten weeks before last frost, 0.5–1 cm deep. Maintain 24–30°C until emergence, generally in 7–14 days, then provide intense light for dense habit and strong purple colour. Harden gradually and transplant once frost has passed and nights remain above approximately 12°C. Choose full sun and rich well-drained soil, water once the surface begins to dry, and feed moderately without encouraging overly soft foliage.
The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 10 seeds, height of 25–35 cm, spread near 40 cm, an 8–12 L container, and harvest around 85 days after transplanting. Fruit can remain for display or be harvested red for sauces, marinades, and flakes. External sources disagree on exact heat and size, so no Scoville value or dimension is guaranteed for this lot. Wear gloves during extended preparation and keep the plant beyond the reach of young children attracted by its colours.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
Approximately 0.5 to 1 cm (¼ to ⅜ in)
Spacing / density
Approximately 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) between plants and 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 in) between rows
Establishment temperature
Approximately 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F)
Establishment time
Approximately 7 to 14 days
Best planting time
February through April indoors; transplant after frost once nights remain above approximately 12°C
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow 0.5–1 cm deep in light mix eight to ten weeks before last frost. Maintain 24–30°C and even moisture until emergence, then provide 14–16 hours of strong light. Pot up at several true leaves without deeply burying the stem. Harden for 7–10 days and transplant once soil is warm and nights remain above approximately 12°C. Space 40–50 cm apart, water immediately, stake if needed, and remove first flowers only if the plant remains very small.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun in a warm sheltered location
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
12°C (54°F)
Watering
Keep seed-starting mix evenly moist during germination without saturating cells, then let the surface dry slightly between waterings once seedlings establish. After transplanting, water deeply at soil level once the top two or three centimetres begin to dry. Alternating drought and excess water causes blossom drop, stalled fruit, and uneven tissue. Mulch only once soil is warm, water in the morning, and avoid wetting foliage. In containers check daily during heat but never leave standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Choose deep loose soil rich in mature compost and very well drained, able to retain even moisture without remaining cold or waterlogged. Peppers succeed at slightly acidic to neutral pH approximately 6.0–7.0. Warm the bed before transplanting and avoid fresh manure, which encourages overly soft growth. In heavy soil use a raised bed. Rotate three to four years away from tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and other peppers where soil disease has occurred. A soil test allows organic matter and nutrients to be adjusted without excess.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting and use balanced organic fertilizer only according to a soil test or label. During establishment moderate nutrition supports sturdy plants. Once flowering begins avoid high-nitrogen doses that produce many leaves but delay fruit set and ripening. If a container plant pales despite proper watering, apply one low balanced liquid dose then reassess after a week. Never feed dry mix, do not allow salts to accumulate, and stop late applications when remaining warm-season time cannot ripen new fruit.
Seasonal care
In spring keep seedlings warm under strong light and pot up before roots circle cells. Harden gradually then transplant after frost. In summer mulch once soil is warm, tie plants loosely if bending, and harvest regularly. Monitor aphids, whiteflies, and mites, especially under protection. In autumn move containers inside during cold nights or cut loaded branches to finish colouring indoors; discard diseased or rotten fruit.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
8 to 12 L (2 to 3 gal) per plant
Use a 15–20 L container per plant, at least 30 cm deep, with numerous holes. Fill with rich but well-drained mix and place in the warmest sunniest location available. Install a stake at planting so roots are not injured later. Water deeply once the surface begins to dry, feed moderately following label directions, and rotate the pot regularly. Protect or move the container inside once nights approach 12°C.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Pale violet
Foliage color
Dark purple
Foliage type
Herbaceous
Growth rate
Moderate to fast in warm conditions
Bloom period
Small pale violet flowers contrasting with dark foliage
Fruiting
Numerous small upright multicoloured ornamental edible hot fruit
Harvest
Clip fruit with small clean scissors without tearing compact stems. Every colour stage is ornamental; full red represents the most advanced ripeness and generally offers the most developed aroma. Wear gloves during extended handling and avoid the eyes. Pick regularly to encourage new flowers or leave several fruit for display. Keep them away from children, promptly refrigerate sound fruit, and discard anything soft, mouldy, or abnormal-smelling.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Eggplant, carrot, onion, peas, tomato
Avoid planting with
Bean, fennel
Very hot sauces, labelled dried blends, and tested preserving recipes
From the garden to inspiration.
Refrigerator-pickled Explosive Ember rings — Wear gloves. Wash 250 g sound fruit, remove stems, and slice. Boil 250 ml 5% vinegar, 250 ml water, 10 g salt, and 10 g sugar. Pour over rings in a clean container, cool, then refrigerate; this quick pickle is not shelf-stable canning. Wait at least 24 hours before serving and use promptly. Discard any preparation showing mould, gas, slime, or abnormal odour.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Purple colour comes from anthocyanin pigments encouraged in part by intense light. Young fruit often begins purple, then pigments change with ripening to reveal cream, orange, and red. A less exposed plant may appear greener without being unhealthy. Provide full sun after gradual hardening but watch for scorch on newly moved plants. Exact sequence and intensity vary by plant.
The plant needs a long warm season before producing and colouring an abundant crop. Sowing eight to ten weeks before last frost gives sufficiently advanced plants once nights become safe. Starting much earlier may create root-bound tall stressed plants. Maintain 24–30°C until emergence, then use strong light and pot up as needed before hardening.
Use an 8–12 L container at least 25 cm deep with numerous holes. Fill with rich but free-draining mix and place in full sun after hardening. Check moisture daily during heat because a small pot dries quickly, then water deeply without leaving water in the saucer. Feed moderately and rotate the container for even habit. Protect it once nights approach 12°C.
Sow February through April, approximately eight to ten weeks before expected last frost. Maintain mix at 24–30°C and evenly moist for emergence generally observed in 10–21 days. Provide intense light as soon as seedlings appear so they remain compact. Pot up if roots fill cells, harden for 7–10 days, and transplant only after frost once soil is warm and nights remain above approximately 12°C.
Its strengths, naturally.
Plants that attract butterflies
Butterflies
