Pincha Pepperplant

Pincha Pepperplant is a warm-weather crop that produces Pincha Peppernuts, an ingredient used in several high-quality food and morale-related recipes. Wild plants grow slowly, while domesticated plants can be grown in Farm Tiles or Hydroponic Farms when oriented downward. A domestic Pincha Pepperplant requires 1 kg/cycle Phosphorite and 35 kg/cycle Polluted Water, and takes 8 cycles to mature. Wild plants take 32 cycles to grow to maturity.

Pincha Pepperplant grows in a temperature range of 35 °C to 85 °C and can survive in any atmosphere as long as air pressure remains between 150 g and 10 kg. This makes it one of the more heat-tolerant farm plants, and it can be a useful option for disposing of hot Polluted Water near the end of a cooling loop. Because it continues to consume resources even when growth is halted, it is best used only when the colony can reliably supply its irrigation and fertilizer demands.

Each mature plant yields 4 Pincha Peppernuts per harvest. These are used in recipes such as Pepper Bread, Spicy Tofu, and Stuffed Berry, where they contribute a small amount of calories while also increasing food quality. Peppernuts are also consumed by the Espresso Machine, which improves Duplicant morale, and they can be used at the Apothecary to make Immuno Reducers. Since a single domestic plant produces enough peppernuts for several uses, it can support both advanced cuisine and morale production once the colony has a stable supply of Phosphorite.

• A domestic Pincha Pepperplant consumes Phosphorite even when growth is stopped, so it is inefficient to keep one running if the goal is simply to dispose of Polluted Water.
• It is especially useful for handling very hot Polluted Water, since it tolerates temperatures up to 85 °C.
• If heat transfer is a concern, regular gas pipes made of Granite can be run along the base of the plants, with insulated piping elsewhere, to help manage thermal exchange.
• Germy Polluted Water can be used for irrigation without risking food contamination from cooked meals, since cooking removes germs; however, it can still spread germs through Duplicants via the Espresso Machine.
• Phosphorite for fertilizing Pincha Pepperplant can be obtained by ranching Dreckos.

In addition to its practical value, Pincha Pepperplant provides +15 decor within 2 tiles, giving it a modest decorative benefit when incorporated into farm layouts or greenhouse designs. Its combination of heat tolerance, food utility, and morale support makes it a strong mid- to late-game crop whenever a colony can spare the fertilizer.