VegetablePepper
Caloro Pepper
Caloro is a fiery heirloom hot pepper that brings both heat and visual drama to the garden. These open-pollinated plants grow to a tidy 18 to 30 inches tall and produce remarkably uniform peppers that shift from green to a brilliant bright yellow as they mature. Each pepper measures about 2 inches long with thick walls and an intriguing bumpy-to-pointed shape. Reaching harvest in 80 to 89 days from transplant, Caloro delivers medium heat spanning 1,000 to 5,000 Scoville Heat Units, making it hot enough to respect but not so scorching that it dominates a dish.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
30 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-13
Size
30in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Caloro peppers stand out for their striking yellow maturity color and unusually thick walls that give them substance for cooking. The plants grow uniformly and reliably, producing consistent harvests across garden plots, raised beds, and even greenhouses. Medium heat levels make them approachable for gardeners who want real spice without overwhelming intensity, while the open-pollinated genetics mean you can save seed from year to year.
Common Uses
Caloro peppers excel in hot sauces, salsas, and any preparation where you want heat with substance. Their thick walls make them sturdy enough for drying, smoking, or roasting. The medium Scoville range means they work well in everyday cooking rather than solely as a heat-focused specialty ingredient.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping soil consistently warm and moist. Peppers germinate best with bottom heat around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off plants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting. Space plants 18 inches apart with 36 inches between rows.
Harvesting
Harvest Caloro peppers when they reach their full 2-inch length and shift to bright yellow for mature flavor and heat. Peppers can be picked at the green stage if you prefer milder heat, or left on the plant to fully mature. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut peppers cleanly from the stem rather than pulling, which can damage the plant.
Pruning
Caloro's upright growth habit generally requires minimal pruning. Remove any dead or diseased branches as they appear, and consider pinching out the first flower bud to encourage stronger plant structure before allowing fruiting to begin.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Capsicum annuum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (NI)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)
History & Origin
“Caloro exists as an open-pollinated heirloom variety, carrying the genetic lineage of peppers saved and replanted by gardeners across generations. The specifics of its regional origin or the hands that first cultivated it are not documented in available records, but its survival in seed catalogs speaks to its reliability and the dedication of seed savers who recognized its value.”