Purple Pepper Varieties
Peppers come in every color of the rainbow, red, green, yellow, orange, and even chocolate-brown. But lately, purple peppers have become a favorite among gardeners for one reason: they’re genuinely show-stopping.
So what makes a pepper turn purple? Many purple varieties contain higher levels of anthocyanins, natural plant pigments responsible for deep red, purple, and bluish tones in produce. In peppers, these pigments often concentrate near the surface, creating rich violet shades that look incredible in the garden and on the plate.
The best part? Purple peppers aren’t just pretty. Some are sweet and mild, while others pack real heat.
Below are 10 purple pepper varieties worth growing if you want something delicious, unique, and downright beautiful.
10 Types of Purple Peppers to Try Growing & Eating
1. Purple Beauty Pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Heat Level: 0 SHUs
Origin: USA
Days to Harvest: 70+ days
A gorgeous twist on the classic bell pepper, Purple Beauty is mild, crisp, and easy to grow. The fruit matures into a deep purple with a glossy sheen, making it a standout in salads, veggie trays, and stuffed pepper recipes.
If you want more bell-style options, Lilac Bell is another sweet, crunchy purple variety that’s perfect for fresh eating.
Best uses: salads, sandwiches, roasting, stuffing, pickling
2. Purple Jalapeño Pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Heat Level: 2,500–8,000 SHUs
Origin: Mexico
Days to Harvest: 85+ days
Purple Jalapeños look dramatic but still deliver that familiar jalapeño bite, often with a slightly sweeter edge. They’re also a great dual-purpose plant: productive enough for the kitchen and beautiful enough to double as ornamental.
Best uses: salsas, poppers, pickling, grilling
Did you know? Many peppers shift color as they mature, purple included. Depending on the variety, purple can be a mature color or a stage on the way to red.
3. Black Prince Pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Heat Level: 5,000–30,000 SHUs
Origin: Mexico
Days to Harvest: ~90 days
If you want a regal-looking pepper plant, Black Prince delivers. This ornamental-style variety produces dark foliage and pods that can appear nearly black or deep purple before fully ripening.
Don’t let the looks fool you, heat can climb into cayenne territory, making it a solid option for sauces and spice blends.
Best uses: powders, salsas, sauces, drying
4. Purple Serrano Pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Heat Level: 8,000–22,000 SHUs
Origin: Mexico
Days to Harvest: 85+ days
A darker, often milder take on the classic serrano, Purple Serrano peppers are slim, glossy, and flavorful. They’re a go-to for fresh salsa and pico de gallo and a fun swap when you want a slightly sweeter serrano-style heat.
Kitchen tip: Use one Purple Serrano instead of a jalapeño for a different flavor profile (and often a little more heat).
5. Purple Cayenne Pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Heat Level: 30,000–50,000 SHUs
Origin: USA
Days to Harvest: 80–85 days
This is where purple peppers start bringing real fire. Purple Cayenne produces long, slender pods (often 3–6") and can be extremely productive, the kind of plant that makes you feel like you “won” the season.
Because heavy yields can weigh down branches, a simple stake or support helps once fruit sets.
Best uses: drying, flakes, powders, sauces, pickling
6. Buena Mulata Pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Heat Level: 30,000–50,000 SHUs
Origin: USA
Days to Harvest: 75–80 days
Often compared to Purple Cayenne, Buena Mulata is famous for its long ripening color journey: purple → pink → yellowish tones → brown → red. The longer you let it mature, the more the flavor develops.
Best uses: flakes, powders, salsa, drying
Grower note: Great “conversation pepper” because the plant shows multiple colors at once.
7. Filius Blue Pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Heat Level: 40,000–58,000 SHUs
Origin: USA
Days to Harvest: 80+ days
Despite the name, Filius Blue often looks deep blue-purple on the plant. The pods are small and ornamental — but don’t underestimate the heat.
Many growers harvest at the blue/purple stage for maximum kick, then let some ripen to red for a different flavor.
🏅 Fun Fact: Filius Blue has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit, recognizing strong performance in home gardens.
8. Black Scorpion Tongue Pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Heat Level: commonly listed 40,000–58,000 SHUs (reports vary)
Origin: USA
Days to Harvest: 80+ days
This variety is all about dramatic color change. Black Scorpion Tongue can start dark purple and shift through lighter tones as it matures. It’s also known for heat that can feel more intense than expected, so treat it like a “spicy ornamental” — beautiful, but not mild.
Best uses: powders, flakes, hot sauce, salsa
9. Pink Tiger x Peach Bhut (Chili)
Species: Capsicum chinense
Heat Level: 300,000+ SHUs
Origin: USA
Days to Harvest: varies by grow conditions
This cross is a true showpiece: peachy-purple tones, a unique shape, and serious heat (often habanero-to-superhot range depending on the phenotype).
Give the Pink Tiger X Peach Bhut plants space, warmth, and time and they can reward you with impressive yields.
Best uses: hot sauce, dehydrating, small-batch salsas
10. Purple Reaper
Species: Capsicum chinense
Heat Level: often estimated 1,500,000+ SHUs (varies)
Origin: Brazil
Days to Harvest: 80–85 days
Purple Reaper is for experienced heat lovers. It’s often described as a Reaper-type pepper that shows striking purple coloration during development, then shifts toward darker red/brown tones as it fully ripens.
Because heat can be extreme, most people enjoy it best as an ingredient (not a snack): think hot sauce, powders, and micro-doses in chili.
Safety note: Handle superhots with gloves and avoid touching your face/eyes.
Whether you’re growing for flavor, heat, or pure visual impact, purple peppers bring something special to any garden. Start with a mild purple bell…or go all-in with a purple superhot either way, you’ll get a harvest that looks as good as it tastes.
Ready to plan your next grow? Browse our pepper-growing tips for variety selection, planting timing, and simple ways to boost your harvest or check out our grow supplies to set yourself up for success.