The Capsicum genus, which includes all true peppers, displays two distinct fruit orientations: pendent and erect. Pendent peppers, like bell peppers and jalapeños, grow downward and hang from the plant due to the weight of the fruit. Erect peppers, however, grow upward toward the sky, a trait that is determined by the plant’s genetic code. This difference in fruit posture is a predictable, inherited characteristic, not a random variation or one influenced by external growing conditions.
Identifying Common Upward Growing Pepper Varieties
Many of the peppers that exhibit this upward-facing, or mirasol (Spanish for “looking at the sun”), growth habit are smaller-fruited, intensely hot varieties, though some ornamentals also share the trait. The iconic Tabasco pepper (Capsicum frutescens) is a prime example known for its upright growth and medium heat, typically ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
Thai peppers, which often fall under the Capsicum annuum species, are another group frequently displaying erect growth. These small, slender chiles, sometimes called bird’s eye chilies, have a sharp flavor and a significant heat level of 50,000 to 100,000 SHU, making them a staple in Southeast Asian curries and stir-fries. The Chiltepin (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum), a wild pepper, produces tiny, intensely hot fruits that also grow straight up.
Ornamental varieties, such as the Bolivian Rainbow or Chinese 5 Color, are cultivated for their visual appeal, as their small, erect fruits ripen through a spectrum of colors simultaneously. Other upright-growing examples include ‘Goat’s Weed,’ ‘Medusa,’ and the ‘Santaka’ pepper, a spicy Japanese variety.
The Botanical Mechanism Behind Erect Pepper Growth
The orientation of a pepper fruit is dictated by the structure and development of the pedicel, the small stem connecting the fruit to the main branch. In peppers that grow upward, the pedicel remains straight and rigid as the fruit develops, allowing it to hold the fruit upright. This erect phenotype is known to be controlled by a specific genetic location, often referred to as the up locus, which has been identified on pepper chromosome 12.
Genetic analysis suggests that the erect growth habit is often governed by a recessive gene. The difference between an erect and a pendent fruit stems from a controlled sequence of cell proliferation and elongation in the pedicel. For pendent peppers, the pedicel bends due to differential growth, causing the fruit to hang down, a process that doesn’t occur in the erect varieties.
Cultivation Tips for Upward Growing Peppers
Peppers with an erect fruit habit often produce a high volume of small fruits, which can create a dense canopy of weight concentrated toward the top of the plant. Providing structural support is highly recommended to manage this top-heavy load and prevent branches from snapping, especially in windy conditions. A small tomato cage or bamboo stakes and twine can be used to hold up the branches and the main stem as the plant grows.
These varieties often benefit from mass harvesting techniques due to their small, clustered fruits. Instead of picking individual chiles, growers may snip entire small branches that are loaded with clusters of ripened fruit. This method can be used for high-yield and ornamental types. Ensuring the plant receives consistent moisture and at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily remains important for a successful harvest.