Zimbabwe Black Seeds
Purple fire, red finish

Zimbabwe Black Chilli Seeds

Zimbabwe Black Chilli Seeds

Heat wrapped in ink-dark foliage: Heat Level: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Zimbabwe Black is an eye-catching heirloom annuum from southern Africa, grown as much for its colour as its heat. Plants raised from seed develop striking dark foliage early on — deep purple to almost black in good light — and produce glossy pods that begin a rich aubergine-purple before ripening to a vivid red.

The contrast between pod and foliage is the whole appeal: it’s one of the most ornamental edible chillies you can grow, but the flavour and heat are very much real.

The heat usually sits around the medium mark — roughly 20,000–30,000 SHU — with a clean, peppery brightness that works well in stir-fries, chutneys and pickles.

Seed-grown plants stay compact, branching neatly and setting fruit readily even in smaller containers. Once they begin to mature, the colour shift from purple to red is quick and reliable, making the pods especially good for drying or using fresh at either stage.

Zimbabwe Black offers a rare mix: dramatic looks, dependable cropping, and a clear, medium heat that’s easy to use in everyday cooking. A genuinely distinctive variety with proper heritage behind it.

Additional Information

▶ Packet Contents: Ten seeds per packet.

▶ Species: Capsicum annuum

▶ Heat Level: Typically 20,000–30,000 SHU

▶ Germination: 7–14 days at 24–28°C

▶ Seedling Growth: Compact, upright annuum habit; foliage darkens with strong light

▶ Plant Habit: Bushy plants around 40–60 cm, ideal for pots

▶ Fruit Appearance: Small tapered pods, deep purple ripening to bright red

▶ Flavour Profile: Clean, peppery heat with a fresh vegetal note

▶ Growing Conditions: Performs well in containers, patios or greenhouses with good light

▶ Time to Harvest: Approximately 75–100 days from sowing

▶ Origin: Traditional variety associated with Zimbabwe and southern Africa

▶ How to Grow Chillies: Free 28-page booklet “How to Grow Chillies” included with every seed order

Coir Blocks

Classic Hots

Record-breakers

Cooks' Collection

World of Chillies was set up by Sarah Hunt in 2011 to promote chilli growing and the enjoyment of everything hot and spicy.

UK Company No. 07860204.
VAT reg. 223126942

▶ 1. Easy to Grow: Some chillies are just a joy to grow — compact, reliable, and happy in a pot (5). Others shoot off in all directions or sulk at the first sign of wind (1). I’ve given higher scores to the ones that do well here in the UK.

▶ 2. Ornamental Quality: A few of these are real show-offs, with pods that look like jewels or dramatic foliage that turns heads. Others are more practical than pretty. This score is just about how good they look on the patio or in the greenhouse.

▶ 3. Heat Level: This isn’t a technical SHU score — it’s just a kitchen-friendly 1 to 5. A 1 means very mild (like a jalapeño), a 5 is properly hot (think Bhut Jolokia). It should help you judge what you’re in for!

▶ 4. Hardiness: How well do they cope with our unpredictable summers? I’ve given higher scores to the tough ones that keep going through cool nights, wind, or patchy weather without much fuss.

▶ 5. Culinary Use: This one’s about how often I actually use them. Some are perfect for pickling, stuffing or powders — others look good but don’t end up in many meals. If it’s flavourful and versatile, it scores high.

Hover or touch to pause carousel