Brazilian Starfish Hot Pepper is a striking heirloom variety of Capsicum baccatum that produces unmistakable star-shaped fruits reaching 2 inches across. Originally domesticated in Brazil from peppers with roots in Peru, this cultivar delivers a captivating balance of complex floral and fruity notes with medium heat that can occasionally rival jalapeños. The peppers ripen to brilliant red and offer juicy, sweet flesh with delightful surprises in both flavor intensity and heat level. Expect mature fruit 90 to 100 days after transplanting, and grow it in full sun with warm temperatures between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-12
?in H x ?in W
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High
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The star-shaped fruit is genuinely curious to behold, a conversation starter in any garden. Each pepper brings a unique character; while typically medium-spicy, the heat and flavor profile vary enough that snacking becomes an adventure rather than a predictable experience. Juicy, sweet flesh combined with floral complexity creates a flavor that feels far more sophisticated than the pepper's whimsical appearance suggests, and the brilliant red color at maturity is both beautiful and a clear harvest signal.
Brazilian Starfish peppers excel as fresh snacking peppers, where their juicy, sweet character and moderate heat can be fully appreciated straight from the plant. The floral and fruity notes make them interesting candidates for hot sauces and pepper-based condiments that benefit from complexity beyond simple heat. Their striking appearance also makes them attractive for fresh market sales or ornamental-culinary gardens where visual appeal matters as much as flavor.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date in warm conditions. Pepper seeds germinate best with soil temperatures around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting. Space transplants 14 inches apart in full sun.
Harvest Brazilian Starfish peppers when they reach their full brilliant red color, typically 90 to 100 days after transplanting. The peppers should feel firm and glossy when ripe. You can harvest them at earlier stages if desired, but allowing them to fully ripen to red develops the complex floral and fruity flavors most completely. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut peppers from the plant, leaving a short stem attached.
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“The Capsicum baccatum species itself originated in Peru, where it was cultivated by indigenous peoples for centuries. Brazilian Starfish represents the domestication and refinement of this species specifically in Brazil, where local growers selected for the distinctive star shape and balanced heat profile that characterizes the variety today. This heirloom carries the fingerprints of Brazilian agriculture and seed-saving traditions, passed down through generations of gardeners who valued its unique appearance and complex flavor.”