Hot Pepper
Capsicum annuum • Solanaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Central and South America (specifically the Caribbean and Amazon basin)
📅 Days to Maturity
90-110 days from transplant; harvest when fruits turn from green to bright orange; succession planting is generally not needed due to long harvest window.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 9-11 (grown as a perennial), Zones 1-8 (grown as an annual); optimal temperatures 65-85°F.
About This Seed
Small, flat, disc-shaped seeds roughly 3-4mm in diameter with a pale tan to yellowish-orange hue and a slightly textured, matte surface. The resulting plant is a compact, bushy shrub reaching 24-36 inches with dark green, lanceolate leaves and small white flowers producing wrinkled, lantern-shaped orange fruits.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Warm season; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; very frost sensitive
Germination
7-21 days; optimal soil temperature 80-90°F (27-32°C); requires heat mats frequently; does not require light to germinate but needs high humidity; pre-soaking in tea or water can improve rates.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix. Space plants 18-24 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. Prefers well-draining, fertile soil with pH 6.0-6.8. Thrives with added calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (minimum 6-8 hours daily); moderate watering, allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; high drought tolerance once established but fruit production benefits from consistent moisture.
Companion Plants
Beneficial: Basil, Onions, Tomatoes, and Marigolds. Avoid: Fennel, Kohlrabi, and Beans (which may compete for nitrogen).
Special Characteristics
Extremely high capsaicin content (100k-350k Scoville units); heat tolerant; pest resistant due to alkaloid content; attracts pollinators; rich in Vitamin C.