Ornamental Edible
The Count Dracula pepper (Capsicum annuum) is an ornamental chili known for its striking, gothic appearance with dark foliage and pods that ripen from a deep, glossy black to blood-red. It is valued for its unique decorative qualities but also...
CASA VERDE · HEAT PROFILE
Medium
- Sweet
- Mild
- Medium — this variety
- Hot
- Super hot
Understanding the heat
A diamond marks the midpoint of a listed range, or the listed value when only one number is given. An arrow marks a stated limit. These are variety guides, not measurements of our seed lot. This guide uses unequal numerical bands: sweet 0; mild up to 10,000; medium 10,000–50,000; hot 50,000–800,000; super hot from 800,000 SHU (display capped at 3 million). Heat varies between fruits and with growing conditions.
Shop all pepper seeds in Canada
- Heat
- 5000–30000 SHU
- Season
- 2026
CASA VERDE · GROWER’S NOTES
Get to know your pepper.
“Spooktacular Black Peppers! Unique & Ornamental.”
The Count Dracula pepper (Capsicum annuum) is an ornamental chili known for its striking, gothic appearance with dark foliage and pods that ripen from a deep, glossy black to blood-red. It is valued for its unique decorative qualities but also offers a usable medium heat and flavor.
- Flavor: Often described as having a fruity sweetness with a slightly smoky and earthy undertone. While primarily ornamental, it has more flavor complexity than some other ornamental peppers.
- Heat: Moderate, with a range of 5,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This places its heat level somewhere between a mild jalapeño and a standard cayenne, making it suitable for adding a kick to dishes without overwhelming them.
- Origin: The exact origin of the Count Dracula is unknown, but some sources suggest it may be a Romanian heirloom.
- Appearance: Its most notable feature is its dark aesthetic. The leaves are a deep, sometimes almost black, green, and the flowers are a beautiful violet or purple. The conical pods are about 2 inches long, emerging black and maturing to a vibrant, crimson red, with both colors often visible on the plant at once.
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Culinary Uses:
- Hot Sauces and Salsas: Its heat and fruity, smoky flavor are well-suited for adding depth to hot sauces and salsas.
- Drying: Can be dried and ground into a chili powder for seasoning.
- Themed Dishes: The dark foliage and unique ripening of the pods make it a great addition to dishes for Halloween or other themed events.
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Ornamental: Due to its dramatic foliage and colorful pods, it is widely grown for decorative purposes in gardens or containers.
The Count Dracula pepper is a truly unique and visually striking variety. This ornamental pepper boasts jet-black foliage and stunning purple flowers, creating a dramatic display in any garden. The 2-inch long, black peppers ripen to a vibrant blood red, adding further intrigue. While primarily grown for their ornamental value, these peppers offer a moderate heat level with a slightly fruity flavor.
Note: This pepper is primarily grown for its ornamental value, but the fruits are edible.
Cook your harvest
Use your harvest in these recipes. Check the variety notes and substitutions in each recipe.
Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Germinate at 26–30 °C on a heat mat; peppers stall below 22 °C. Pot up to 10–15 cm before hardening off outside after nights stay above 12 °C.
Feed balanced through bloom, then bump potassium for fruiting. Stake taller varieties. More detail in our full Canadian growing guide.
Match the pepper to the technique: thin-walled varieties blister fast in a hot pan; thick-walled ones roast or stuff beautifully; fruit-forward ones make balanced sauces and pickles. The variety's flavour profile is your shortcut — see Choosing the right pepper for a use-case guide.
