Hot Pepper, Pippin's Fish

A true classic from the Roughwood Seed Collection, the Pippin Fish peppers were given to the collection in the 1940s. It has beautiful green and white splotched leaves along with the peppers—some green, some white, and some a mix of both. It is a traditional African American heirloom from the Baltimore area where it has been used as the secret ingredient to season shellfish dishes.

Hot Pepper: As group of veggies with tons and tons of variety, there is a pepper for everyone out there. Hot pepper’s heat come from a chemical they produce called capsaicin. Even when they turn out to be too spicy to eat, I love to use the peppers to make a hot oil that can deter pests like squirrels.

Growing Tips: Hot peppers love sun and heat! They do great all summer long in a greenhouse as well as in the garden. Give peppers plenty of fertility and at least 12 inches between plants.