Big options for small edibles

As gardeners continue to search for the latest and greatest in edible options, we found a few new varieties of note from PanAmerican. From those with small spaces to those with little experience, there were options for both new and established gardeners.

PanAmerican Kitchen Minis

Several years after PanAmerican Seed bought ExPlant and its line of small, compact indoor peppers, the company is expanding to bring tiny tomatoes to the market. Growing only 4 to 8 inches, the Kitchen Minis line launched in 2021. With lower light requirements, and no fertilization and no pollination needed, they’re perfect for kitchen counters and windowsills. There are two new options for 2022: Cocoa, with a chocolate hue, and Red Velvet, seen above, with a bright red color.

The greenhouses simply ship retailers fruiting plants that can be placed in a decorative container. Ready to harvest in just four to six weeks, consumers can just grow the plant to harvest and then discard the plant. “These are great for those new plant parents and they’re great as gift plants,” Rotella says.

PanAmerican HandPicked Vegetables

The Handpicked series is making its mark with early maturing, small plants that produce great flavor.

Everleaf Thai Towers Basil

This new basil is versatile and can be used to put height in containers with a great purple stem for added color. Flowering 10 to 12 weeks later than traditional basil, these plants produce “handfuls and handfuls of basil,” says Katie Rotella of Ball Horticultural. The aromatic and vibrant licorice flavor complements many dishes, especially Thai cuisine.

Pepper Candy Cane Chocolate Cherry

This new pepper shows chocolate and red stripes as it matures, giving it a unique ornamental aspect, says Luther McLaughlin, general manager, PanAmerican Seed. With variegated white and green leaves, it makes a statement indoors. The sweet fruits can be eaten at any stage of ripeness.

Peppi Cornissimo Pepper

Nearly seedless, Cornissimo is easy to chop and eat. “Compared to their seeded counterparts, these are much sweeter,” McLaughlin says. Extra-large corno-shaped fruit ripens from green to red, with outstanding thick walls and a rich flavor. The fruit is often seedless, meaning less preparation time for chopping and cooking. it's best grown in-ground with support of stakes or a cage. Peppi Cornissimo is new for 2022.