Red Missile Ornamental Pepper

Red Missile is a compact ornamental chili pepper with upright, tapered fruit that changes from cream through orange to bright red. Its small stature and colorful fruit make it suited to containers and sunny garden displays, and its peppers are hot. ## Form and Seasonal Interest The Royal Horticultural Society describes Red Missile as bushy and compact, with erect conical fruit that matures from cream through orange to red. Its full-sun recommendation and small habit suit sunny containers and garden displays. ## Siting and Growing Place Red Missile in full sun and warm conditions, in a well-drained bed or container. Peppers generally need fertile soil and regular moisture during active growth; avoid saturated soil. The RHS recommends a sheltered position and notes that fruit is hot. Treat fruit as a hot chili and keep it away from children and pets. ## Growing and Harvest Plant outdoors only after frost danger has passed. Water when the soil begins to dry and increase attention to container moisture in hot weather. Pinching growing tips can encourage a bushier shape, as the RHS recommends for this selection. Harvest fruits as they color, using care when handling or preparing them. ## Maintenance See the [Royal Horticultural Society profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/207116/capsicum-annuum-var-annuum-longum-group-red-missile/details), and [Utah State University Extension’s pepper guide](https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/peppers-in-the-garden).