Hot Pepper
Hungarian Hot Wax is a compact, traditional pepper variety that delivers sweet and spicy triangular fruits perfect for the home gardener. This open-pollinated cultivar grows to a manageable 30 inches tall and 18 inches wide, producing abundant harvests in just 75 days from transplant. These fleshy peppers excel as pickling types, taking on flavors beautifully while offering the flexibility to be used at any stage of ripeness. Their mild heat and high yields make them an exceptional all-purpose pepper for gardeners seeking both productivity and culinary versatility.
Full Sun
Moderate
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30in H x 18in W
Annual
High
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This variety shines as a traditional pickling pepper with remarkable versatility in the kitchen. Hungarian Hot Wax peppers can be harvested and enjoyed at any stage of development, whether young and mild or fully mature and more flavorful. The compact bush habit makes them perfect for smaller gardens while still delivering impressive yields of triangular, fleshy fruits. Their ability to absorb flavors makes them exceptional for pickling, while their pleasant heat level allows for fresh eating, sautéing, and adding to relishes without overwhelming dishes.
Hungarian Hot Wax peppers are prized as traditional pickling peppers, where their ability to absorb flavors truly shines. The fleshy triangular fruits work beautifully in sautés and can be eaten fresh at any stage of ripeness. They make excellent additions to homemade relishes, bringing both mild heat and substantial texture to condiments and preserves.
Sow seeds indoors 6-10 weeks before the last frost date, planting 4 seeds per inch at 1/4 inch deep in 20-row or shallow flats. Maintain soil temperatures between 80-90°F for germination, which can take 10-14 days in these warm conditions but will be much slower in cooler soil. When first true leaves appear, transplant seedlings into 2-inch cells or 4-inch pots and grow at approximately 70°F days and 60°F nights with supplemental lighting.
Transplant outdoors 3 weeks after the last frost when soil is warm and weather has settled. Ideal seedlings should have buds but no open flowers. Water-in transplants using a high phosphorus solution to establish strong root systems.
Hungarian Hot Wax peppers can be harvested at any stage of ripeness, from young and mild to fully mature. The triangular fruits will develop more heat and complex flavor as they ripen, giving gardeners flexibility in choosing when to pick based on their intended use.
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