• Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli peppers in various shades of red and purple against a gray background.
  • Black Scorpion Tongue chilli plant growing in garden, showcasing small dark pods and lush green leaves.
  • Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli peppers with varying shades of red and dark purple, showcasing unique pod shapes on a light background.
  • Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli plant with small dark pod and green leaves in a garden setting.
  • Two Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli peppers, one red and one dark, showcasing the unique colors of this Capsicum Annuum variety.
  • Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli plant with small dark pods growing in a garden.
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Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden

Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli

£2.99
£2.99
Tax included.

The Black Scorpion Tongue is a rare and visually striking ornamental pepper from the United States, belonging to the Capsicum annuum species. Though often grown for its beauty, it is also an edible variety that delivers a respectable heat. Its pungency is rated in the medium-to-hot category, with a Scoville score that typically ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 SHU. This places its heat level on par with a Thai or cayenne pepper, delivering a sharp, upfront burn that is significantly hotter than a jalapeño.

The plant is a showstopper in any garden, prized for its dramatic, deep purple to near-black foliage that intensifies in full sunlight. It grows into a compact, bushy plant, typically reaching a height of 40 to 70 cm, making it an excellent choice for container gardening. The plant produces beautiful purple flowers, which give way to a bountiful harvest of its unique pods. The fruits are small, about 3 to 5 cm long, and have a curved, wrinkled shape resembling a scorpion's tongue or tail. The pods undergo a spectacular colour transformation, starting a deep, glossy black or purple and ripening through shades of yellow and orange before finally turning a brilliant red.

Unlike many ornamental varieties that are bred for looks over taste, the Black Scorpion Tongue has a complex and appealing flavour. The taste is described as crunchy and slightly sweet, with fruity, apple-like, and floral notes. This pleasant flavour is followed by a sharp, penetrating heat. Its unique combination of ornamental beauty and culinary potential makes it highly versatile. The pods are excellent when used fresh in salsas and hot sauces, can be pickled, or used as a colourful garnish. They can also be dried and ground into a flavourful, medium-hot powder.

Quantity of Seeds 10 seeds per packet
Origin USA
Genus Capsicum annuum
Scoville Rating/Heat Level Hot: 50,000–100,000 SHU
Plant Size Compact and bushy, 40–70 cm (16–28 inches) tall with dark purple-black foliage.
Pod Size Small, curved pods resembling a scorpion's tongue, 3–5 cm (1.2–2 inches) long.
Flavour Fruity, slightly sweet, and floral with apple-like notes, followed by a sharp, building heat.
Growing Conditions

Sow indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost. Requires consistent warmth (24–28°C) for germination. Best grown in a greenhouse or a sunny, sheltered spot in the UK. Ideal for container growing.

All plants are grown on our farm in Norfolk, UK and are grown in an open pollinated area.
      Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli peppers in various shades of red and purple against a gray background.
      Black Scorpion Tongue chilli plant growing in garden, showcasing small dark pods and lush green leaves.
      Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli peppers with varying shades of red and dark purple, showcasing unique pod shapes on a light background.
      Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli plant with small dark pod and green leaves in a garden setting.
      Two Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli peppers, one red and one dark, showcasing the unique colors of this Capsicum Annuum variety.
      Black Scorpion Tongue Chilli plant with small dark pods growing in a garden.

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