Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli
A dramatic, dark-leaved ornamental chilli with a dazzling colour show
An ultra-rare ornamental chilli and a real showpiece - dark, dusky foliage and tongue-shaped pods that ripen from purple-black through gold to red, often tiger-striped in the sun. Surprisingly fruity, seriously hot, and beautiful in the garden.
About this variety
Grown as much for looks as for the kitchen. The foliage is dark and dusky, near purple, the flowers are purple-flushed, and the little tongue-shaped pods start a glossy purple-black then run through cream, yellow and orange to a final deep red. In strong sun many of them develop tiger stripes on the way. At the height of summer a single plant carries every stage at once.
The name oversells the heat, which is a good thing. This is nowhere near the scorpions and reapers it borrows from. At 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville units it is a proper hot chilli in bird's eye territory and no more, and behind the upfront bite is a fruity, almost apple-like sweetness with a floral note and a good crunch.
It is a Capsicum annuum, so it is quicker and less demanding than the superhots, and it crops generously off a bushy plant of around 75cm. The branches get heavy, so stake it. Give it the sunniest spot you have, because the colour and the striping depend on strong light and a plant in shade comes out dull. Wash your hands after cutting the fruit and keep it away from your eyes.
Plant alongside
Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli pairs beautifully with these kitchen garden companions
