VegetablePepper
Scotch Bonnet Orange Pepper
The Scotch Bonnet Orange pepper is a rare and fiery cultivar of Capsicum chinense that brings both heat and complexity to the garden. Unlike its more familiar red sibling, this open-pollinated heirloom produces vibrant orange peppers packed with 100,000 to 200,000 Scoville Heat Units and a distinctive fruity-smoking flavor that lingers on the palate. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall in an upright habit, it reaches harvest in 100 to 109 days and thrives in zones 4 through 13, rewarding gardeners with a prolific crop of exceptionally hot peppers suitable for containers, raised beds, or garden plots.
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
36 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-13
Size
36in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
This orange variant stands apart from the common red scotch bonnets by offering a flavor profile that balances raw heat with fruity and smoky undertones, making it more complex than a simple burn. Many growers report it delivers even more intensity than a habanero, yet the fruity notes prevent it from being one-dimensional. Its rarity in cultivation means growing this variety puts you among a small group of gardeners who appreciate the nuanced side of superhot peppers. The upright growth habit and container-friendly nature make it accessible whether you're working with garden space or a sunny patio.
Common Uses
As an exceptionally hot pepper, the Scotch Bonnet Orange excels in hot sauces, salsas, and spice blends where its fruity-smoking undertones can shine through intense heat. The peppers work well in Caribbean and West Indian cuisines where scotch bonnets are traditional ingredients. They can be dried and ground into powders, fermented for complex hot sauces, or used fresh in small quantities to add both fire and flavor to dishes that need both elements.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Maintain soil temperature between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for consistent germination. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged until seedlings emerge, then provide bright light and good air circulation.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and all frost danger has passed. Space plants 18 inches apart with rows 36 inches apart. Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before final planting.
Harvesting
Peppers reach maturity at 100 to 109 days from transplanting, turning a vivid orange color when fully ripe. Harvest by cutting peppers from the plant with a sharp knife or pruners rather than pulling, which can damage branches. For maximum heat and flavor development, allow peppers to fully color on the plant before harvesting. You can also pick peppers slightly earlier and allow them to finish ripening indoors in a warm location.
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