Site Characteristics

Sunlight:

• full sun

Soil conditions:

• requires well-drained soil

These plants prefer warm weather and rich to average, well drained soil.

Special locations:

• outdoor containers
• indoors as a houseplant

Plant Traits

Lifecycle: annual

Ease-of-care: moderately difficult

Height: 0.66 to 1.5 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Bloom time:

• mid-summer
• late summer

Flower color:

• white
• inconspicuous

Foliage color:

• medium green
• variegated

Some varieties have variegated leaves.

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: upright

Shape in flower: same as above

This plant is not grown for its flowers, but rather for its decorative, brightly colored fruit.

Special Considerations

Special characteristics:

• deer resistant
• non-aggressive
• non-invasive
• not native to North America - Tropical Americas
• bears ornamental fruit - The plants bear brightly colored fruits in vivid shades of yellow, red and orange. The fruits are green initially, and attain their mature colors with time. The fruits appear in later summer through f

Special uses:

• edible landscaping - The fruits can be eaten, but they are very hot and are generally used solely for ornamental purposes.

Growing Information