Cayenne Orange Pepper

Start seeds indoors at 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, timing the start so transplants are ready to go in the garden after the last frost in your zone. Peppers benefit from an early start indoors since they need 70 to 79 days to first harvest.

Harden off seedlings over a week before moving them outside. Transplant into warm soil (ideally 60 degrees or warmer) after all frost danger has passed, spacing plants 12 inches apart with 36 inches between rows. Full sun is essential for both fruiting and heat development.

Peppers are ready to harvest when they reach full orange color and feel firm to the touch, typically 70 to 79 days after transplanting. You can pick them when they turn from green to orange, or wait for deeper color development for maximum heat intensity. Snip peppers cleanly from the plant with a knife or pruners rather than pulling, which can damage branches. The thin skin makes them ideal for immediate use in sauces or drying.

With its upright, naturally compact growth habit reaching just 12 to 18 inches, Cayenne Orange Pepper requires minimal pruning. Remove any dead or diseased leaves as they appear, and pinch off the first flower buds if you want to encourage bushier branching early in the season, though this will delay first harvest slightly.