Basket of Fire
A compact edible ornamental hot pepper bred specifically for hanging baskets, producing hundreds of vibrant, multicolored fruits while thriving in heat.
The Basket of Fire is a hybrid Capsicum annuum variety developed as a Texas Superstar plant, combining striking ornamental appeal with genuine culinary heat. Its compact, cascading habit makes it perfect for containers and hanging baskets, where it displays a spectacular rainbow of fruit colors simultaneously. Small, pointed peppers ripen through shades of purple, cream, yellow, orange, and bright red, creating a fiery visual display that lasts for months. With approximately 80,000 Scoville Heat Units, it offers a flavorful medium-hot kick ideal for home cooks and gardeners alike.
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Backstory
Released in 2018 by the Texas Superstar program after extensive field trials, the Basket of Fire pepper was purpose-bred by Texas A&M AgriLife researchers to create a versatile edible ornamental that excels in challenging Texas climates. Its name reflects the fiery visual spectacle of its multicolored fruits cascading like flames from hanging baskets. This variety has quickly become popular among gardeners for its dual purpose: stunning landscape color combined with practical culinary heat that can be harvested fresh or dried.
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Slightly sweet with citrusy and habanero-like fruity undertones; delivers a solid medium-hot burn that is flavorful and approachable rather than overpowering.
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Sources
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- texassuperstar.comtexassuperstar.com/basket-of-fire-pepper
- agrilifetoday.tamu.eduagrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2018/06/14/basket-of-fire-pepper-latest-texas-superstar-release
- rhs.org.ukwww.rhs.org.uk/plants/329575/capsicum-annuum-basket-of-fire/details
- chillichumpseeds.comchillichumpseeds.com/s/basket-of-fire
- victoriananursery.co.ukvictoriananursery.co.uk/Chilli-Pepper-Seed-Basket-Of-Fire
- lizplants.comlizplants.com/grow/basket-of-fire-pepper
- ohiopeppers.comohiopeppers.com/product/basket-of-fire
- shootgardening.comwww.shootgardening.com/plants/capsicum-annuum-basket-of-fire
- thevegehome.comthevegehome.com/pods/basket-of-fire-hybrid-pepper
- youtube.comwww.youtube.com/watch?v=im_uChbNOGg