Hot Pepper
Where to buy seeds
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Bulgarian Carrot Pepper is a compact, prolific hot pepper that matures in just 66 days, making it one of the faster varieties for gardeners eager to harvest. Growing to a tidy 18 inches tall, this cultivar produces small, carrot-shaped fruits that ripen to a brilliant deep orange with a high gloss finish. The peppers pack genuine heat alongside a fruity flavor complexity, and their compact form makes them ideal for containers or small garden spaces where full sun exposure fuels steady production.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-13
18in H x ?in W
Annual
High
Hover over chart points for details
What sets Bulgarian Carrot Pepper apart is its remarkable speed to maturity combined with its ornamental-yet-functional form. The compact 18-inch plants stay manageable even in confined growing areas, while the abundant, carrot-shaped peppers deliver both visual appeal and serious culinary punch. The fruity heat profile elevates simple dishes into something memorable, and the 66-day timeline means you're harvesting before summer heat stress becomes a concern in many regions.
These peppers shine in fresh salsas and hot sauces where their fruity undertones complement the heat rather than overwhelming it. They're exceptional for spicy pickled pepper preparations, where their size and shape make them both practical and visually striking in jars. The compact plants and prolific yields make them popular for home cooks who want to preserve multiple jars of homemade hot sauce or fermented pepper condiments.
Start seeds indoors approximately 2 months before night temperatures consistently reach 50–55°F (10–13°C) in your area. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in seed starting mix, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain very warm conditions between 80–85°F (27–30°C) for reliable germination, and provide a strong light source once seedlings emerge. When seedlings reach 2 inches tall, transplant them into deeper individual containers and maintain them at 70–75°F (21–24°C) until they're ready to harden off.
Transplant seedlings outdoors only once night temperatures are reliably above 55°F (13°C), using robust seedlings with well-developed root systems. Space plants 18 inches apart in full sun locations with soil amended with aged manure or compost. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing periods before planting to reduce transplant shock.
Harvest Bulgarian Carrot Peppers when the fruits have fully colored to a deep orange with a high gloss finish, indicating peak ripeness and flavor development. The carrot-shaped peppers should feel firm when gently squeezed. Depending on your climate and planting date, expect to begin harvesting around 66 days after transplanting. Use sharp scissors or pruners to cleanly detach the peppers from the plant to avoid damaging the stems, and continue harvesting mature peppers regularly to encourage the plant to produce more flowers and fruit.
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