Habanero Pepper

Habaneros are aromatic, usually very hot Capsicum chinense peppers. They are a different species from bells and jalapeños and need a long warm season.

Sun

Full sun

Water

1 in/week

Spacing

24 in

First harvest

90–120 days

Tips

• Use consistently warm seed-starting conditions.
• Choose earlier cultivars for short seasons.
• Wait for mature color for full aroma.
• Wear gloves and avoid touching eyes when handling cut fruit.
• Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting, using 80-85°F soil for germination.
• Transplant at the original growing depth once nights stay above 55°F and soil has warmed.
• Water deeply for about 1 inch weekly and mulch after the soil warms.
• Stake heavily loaded plants and inspect leaf undersides for aphids.
• Harvest firm, full-sized green peppers or wait for the variety's mature color, cutting rather than pulling fruit.

Allow extra indoor growing time and transplant only into reliably warm soil after frost.

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