VegetablePepper
Habanero Caribbean Red Pepper
Habanero Caribbean Red Pepper is a fiery Capsicum chinense that ripens from lime-green to brilliant red, delivering 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units with a distinctive citrusy, slightly smoky character. This open-pollinated heirloom reaches 18, 24 inches tall and produces abundantly in 110, 119 days from transplant, thriving across zones 4, 13. Heat-tolerant and drought-resistant, it grows equally well in containers, garden beds, or raised beds, making it accessible to nearly any gardener willing to embrace serious spice.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam, High Organic Matter
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
12
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-13
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
These compact, upright peppers pack serious heat without sacrificing flavor. The citrusy undertone cuts through the burn, making them far more interesting than one-dimensional scorchers. Open-pollinated seeds mean you can save them year after year, building a population adapted to your garden's conditions. Deer leave them alone, and they handle drought and heat stress better than most peppers.
Common Uses
Caribbean Red Peppers are a hot sauce staple, their citrusy, smoky character makes them excellent for fermenting or blending into salsas with real complexity. The heat level (100,000, 350,000 SHU) sits comfortably in the intermediate range, making them accessible to those who like serious spice but aren't chasing pure pain. They also work well dried and ground into powders or added to soups and stews where their fruity undertones can shine.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6, 8 weeks before your last spring frost in warm soil (75, 85°F). Keep soil moist but not waterlogged until germination occurs in 7, 14 days. Maintain warmth and bright light once seedlings emerge.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after your last frost date when soil has warmed to at least 60°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7, 10 days, introducing them to outdoor light and wind. Space plants 12 inches apart with 36 inches between rows.
Harvesting
Harvest peppers anytime after they reach full size and turn from lime-green to bright red, typically 110, 119 days from transplant. Peppers harvested at full maturity (bright red) have the most developed flavor and highest heat level. Wear gloves when handling, the oils can irritate skin even before you cut into them. Pinch or cut peppers from the stem rather than pulling, which can damage branches.
Pruning
Pinch off the first flower buds when plants are 6, 8 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and stronger branching. Remove any diseased or weak growth as the season progresses. Because these plants have an upright, compact habit, minimal pruning is needed beyond removing dead wood.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Deer ResistantEdible
Scientific Classification
Capsicum chinense
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Growth Habit
Upright