Yes, ornamental peppers are safe to eat. They are edible and can be used in dishes such as salsas, hot sauces, and salads. However, they are often much hotter than typical culinary peppers, sometimes several times spicier than jalapeños, so they pack quite a bit of heat. The flavor of ornamental peppers tends to be more about heat than complexity, with a grassy bell pepper-like note. They are cultivated primarily for their ornamental appearance rather than taste. When using them in cooking, it is advised to use them sparingly and consider removing the white membrane inside to lessen the heat. They can also be dried and ground into pepper flakes or powder.