Centennial Ornamental Pepper Seeds – Multi-Color Edible & Decorative (Capsicum annuum)

Centennial is a compact, multi-stage ornamental pepper that earns its place in both the garden and the kitchen. Small Pequin-type pods ripen through a stunning color progression — purple to yellow to orange to red — creating a living mosaic of color on a single plant. Edible and versatile, with good heat for stir-fries, hot sauces, and dried spice blends.

Variety Details

• Species: Capsicum annuum
• Type: Pequin/Piquin ornamental
• Pod Size: ½–¾ inch long × ⅜–½ inch wide
• Pod Flesh: Thin
• Color Progression: Purple → Yellow → Orange → Red
• Pod Orientation: Upright
• Foliage: Purplish-green leaves
• Plant Height: 18–24 inches
• Days to Maturity: 70–80 days (mid-season)
• Heat Level: Medium

Culinary Uses

Use fresh green pods in stir-fries, curries, and soups. Combine green and dried red for the fullest flavor profile. Freeze fresh pods for year-round use. Dried red pods are excellent in spice rubs, shichimi togarashi blends, and homemade hot sauces.

Starting Seeds

• Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost
• Sow ¼ inch deep; maintain soil temperature above 75°F for germination
• Germination time: 1–4 weeks
• Use organic seed-starting mix — avoid jiffy peat pots or standard potting soil
• Harden off carefully before transplanting outdoors in late spring
• Transplant into fertile, well-drained soil in a warm, sunny location (soil temp above 60°F)

Growing Tips

• Full sun; well-drained fertile soil
• Water 1 inch per week; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen (promotes foliage over fruit)
• Mulch around base; feed with compost tea in early growth
• Excellent as a container or patio plant

Harvest

Harvest green pods fresh directly from the plant. To dry ripe red pods, cut branches, remove leaves, and hang until fully dry.