Fish Hot Pepper

This African American heirloom variety was introduced to the commercial seed market after William Woys Weaver discovered it in his grandfather's belongings. It was a gift to his grandfather from Horace Pippin in exchange for bee sting therapy, as are many of the seeds in Weaver's collection. Beautiful variegated leaves and fruits vary from dark green to white. Some plants are more deeply contrasted than others, and range a bit in height and sprawling habit. The fruits range from white to pale green as well, before ripening red. Fish peppers have a medium heat. If you save seed, be sure to save it from only the most vigorous plants with the most variegation -- that is, the plants with the most white in their foliage -- other less variegated plants should be removed just as they start flowering, when the variegation would begin to be obvious.