Fish Pepper Plant
Fish is a C. annuum pepper variety, rated medium at 5,000 to 30,000 Scoville heat units, producing multicolor pods. Austin Peppers sells it as a live nursery-grown plant. It is also known as Fish, African Fish Pepper, Negro Pepper.
We grow and ship year round. We grow out every variety here and check the pods ourselves before we propagate a batch to sell.
Also known as: Fish, African Fish Pepper, Negro Pepper
Heat Level: Medium (17,500 SHU)
Species: C. annuum
Pod Color: Multicolor
Price: $15.00 USD
Species: Capsicum annuum Mature pod color: Red Pod form: Standard tapered Heat: 5,000-30,000 SHU (Medium) Days until harvest: Mid 70-80 Plant height: 24 to 30 inches Light: Full sun (6–8+ hrs) Growing temperature: 65–85°F (18–29°C) Planter size: 1 gallon minimum, optimally 5–7 gallons (19–26 liters) Every Fish pepper growing today traces back to one man and one trade. Horace Pippin was a Black folk painter in Pennsylvania and a veteran of the 369th Infantry, the Harlem Hellfighters, whose right arm a sniper wrecked in the First World War. In the 1940s he traded a collection of seeds to a local beekeeper, H. Ralph Weaver, in exchange for Weaver's bee sting therapy. Among those seeds were rare varieties kept by old gardeners in Philadelphia and Baltimore, including this one. They sat in the Weaver family freezer for decades. The food historian William Woys Weaver found them in 1995 and sent them to the Seed Savers Exchange, which is the only reason the variety still exists. By 1870 it had taken hold among the Black communities of Baltimore and Philadelphia, and it was a fixture of the crab houses and oyster bars, which is where the name comes from. The plant is as striking as the history. Leaves come out cream and green and heavily variegated, and the pods run through white and pale green with stripes before turning orange and then red. What you are getting: a seedling, minimum 8 weeks old and at least 6 inches tall. It is not a finished plant. It will need transplanting into a container, so choose the container accordingly: these will grow in anything from a half gallon up, but the pot determines the yield in many cases, and some varieties do better than others in a small one. If it is going outside: harden it off first. Give it a few hours a day somewhere sheltered and out of direct sun, and build that up over a week or so before it lives outdoors full time. A seedling put straight out is a seedling you can lose. Feeding: do not fertilise for the first two weeks. After that, use a balanced fertiliser. More on this variety, and on growing peppers generally, at wikipepper.org.
Available as: Seedling
Days to harvest: 70 to 80 days from transplant
Height: 24 to 30 inches
What it looks like
Foliage: Green leaves
Flowers: Solid white/cream
Pod: 3 to 4 inches, standard tapered, pendant
Ripens from: Green/Mustard
Variety data: WikiPepper, Fish
Care Guide
Start Growing Checklist
- Use 5-10 gallon container with drainage holes
- High-quality container mix (not garden soil)
- Place in full sun location (6+ hours)
- Water thoroughly after transplanting
- No feeding the first week. Start in week two
Grown for Health, Not for Show
Bulk growers who wholesale to hardware stores ship plants doped with Epsom salts. It keeps the foliage green for the shelf while the plant declines underneath. Artificial preservatives, but for plants. We don't do it. We focus on plant health, not bulk size: our plants grow with mycorrhizal fungi at the roots, and we feed them for steady, healthy growth. We build what lands at your door to keep growing, not to survive retail.
Sunlight Requirements
Place in full sun for best growth and fruit production. Minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Also grows under artificial lights indoors.
- South-facing window best for indoor growing
- Rotate plant weekly for even growth
Watering Schedule
Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water when top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Water deeply 2-3 times per week in summer
- Reduce watering in winter
- Use well-draining soil
Feeding & Fertilizer
Feed with balanced vegetable fertilizer (10-10-10) every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Switch formulas when flowers appear.
- Start fertilizing in the second week after planting
- Reduce nitrogen when fruiting to boost pepper production
Temperature & Climate
Prefers warm temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C). Protect from frost and temperatures below 50°F (10°C).
- Bring indoors if frost threatens
- Happy in a bright window in any season
- Loves humidity 50-70%
Pruning & Maintenance
Pinch off early flowers to encourage stronger plant growth. Prune lower leaves for better air circulation.
- Remove yellowing leaves
- Support heavy branches with stakes
- Harvest regularly to encourage more peppers
Pest Prevention
Watch for aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Inspect regularly and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed.
- Spray with water to remove pests
- Encourage beneficial insects
- Keep area clean and well-ventilated
Shipping
We ship plants carefully packed to ensure they arrive healthy and ready to thrive in your garden.
Processing Time
All orders ship on a Monday. Order any day you like. For the health of the plants, we dispatch on Mondays only.
Delivery Time
Your order ships the next Monday after you place it. Faster options shorten the time in transit. They do not change the day it leaves us.
Some Leaf Drop Is Normal
Your plant just spent a few days in a dark box, and that's stressful for a living thing. It's normal for it to shed a few leaves when it arrives, usually the lower ones. That's the plant conserving energy, not a sign it's dying. With light, water, and a few days to settle in, it bounces back and pushes new growth.
Upon Arrival
- Unpack immediately and inspect your plant
- Water thoroughly if soil is dry
- Place in indirect light for 1-2 days to acclimate
- Gradually move to final location with full sun
- Contact us within 7 days if you have any concerns
Questions
How hot is Fish?
Fish measures about 5,000 to 30,000 Scoville heat units. That is roughly 3 times hotter than a typical jalapeño.
What species is Fish?
Fish is C. annuum.
What other names is Fish known by?
Fish is also sold as Fish, African Fish Pepper, Negro Pepper.
How long until Fish produces peppers?
70 to 80 days from transplant to first harvest, depending on light and temperature.
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