Capsicum frutescens, a hot little pepper
Capsicum frutescens
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 12a (10°C ≤ T° < 12.8°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Capsicum
- Species
- Pepper Capsicum frutescens
Other names:Capsicum annuum var. frutescens, Capsicum indicum, Capsicum indicum var. berberideum
Less fiery than chilli pepper Capsicum chinense chili pepper, Capsicum frutescens is nonetheless formidable. It is this pepper that gives the famous Tabasco sauce its fiery flavor. Native to an area stretching from southern Mexico to northern Brazil, this pepper has been cultivated for centuries for its potency and high yield. It typically registers between 30,000 and 50,000 units on the Scoville scale: a bold, lingering heat, ideal for spicing up sauces and marinades.
How can you identify the Capsicum frutescens chili pepper?
Capsicum frutescens is a perennial plant in tropical climates. It is grown in regions prone to frost:
- Indoors as an ornamental chili pepper;
- In the vegetable garden or outdoors as an annual plant.
It forms a small, upright bush, reaching about 60 to 80 cm in height with a spread half that size.
Its stem becomes woody with age and branches profusely. Each branch bears bright green, glossy, narrow leaves. Oval to elliptical in shape, they have a pointed tip.
The flowers, with petals fused at the base, resemble stars. Creamy white in color, they have purple anthers. Since they are hermaphroditic and self-fertile, each flower can produce a fruit.
These peppers, which are elongated and smooth, measure 2 to 4 cm. Unlike other species with pendulous fruits, they often point upward. Green when young, they turn bright red when ripe.
What are the varieties of Capsicum frutescens chili peppers?
The best-known variety is the Tabasco pepper, used in the sauce of the same name. This species also includes several types of peppers known as “bird's eye ” or pili-pili, which are widely used in Caribbean and African cuisines.
Is Capsicum frutescens toxic?
The fruit of Capsicum frutescens is edible, but its high capsaicin content means it should be consumed in moderation (it ranks 8th out of 11 on the Scoville scale). Excessive consumption can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, digestive irritation, and temporary discomfort.
When harvesting or preparing the fruit, it is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly—or even wear gloves— to avoid accidental contact with the eyes or mucous membranes.
The leaves, on the other hand, contain solanine and alkaloids in amounts that can be harmful if ingested, particularly in pets.
Our care tips
Peppers are greedy plants. Don't grow them two years in a row in the same spot. Then plant bulbous or root vegetables to rebalance the soil.
They are also sensitive to frost. Wait until all risks have been eliminated before planting them in the ground.
They are also sensitive to frost. Wait until all risks have been eliminated before planting them in the ground.
Watering
Water your plant generously during the growing season.
Keep the soil cool and moist, but not soggy.
Water, preferably with rainwater, at the foot of your Capsicum frutescens.
Adapt your watering when the days get shorter.
Water the base of your Pepper when the substrate surface is dry. Do not wet the leaves to avoid the development of diseases and fungi. Watering is best done with rainwater at room temperature.
Water moderately to keep the soil fresh. Avoid watering if the ground is frozen to preserve the roots.
Repotting
Obtain a pierced pot or tub 30 to 60 cm deep and 15 to 25 cm in diameter.
Pour clay balls or gravel at the bottom to make a drainage layer.
Fill your pot with a rich, light substrate. Use vegetable potting soil (80%) with a little perlite (20%).
Plant your Capsicum frutescens. The crown should be level with the soil. Fruits can be large and heavy. Add a stake to prevent stem breakage. Pack gently and water.
You can mulch the base to retain moisture and cover the plant with a tunnel if the nights are still cool.
Pour clay balls or gravel at the bottom to make a drainage layer.
Fill your pot with a rich, light substrate. Use vegetable potting soil (80%) with a little perlite (20%).
Plant your Capsicum frutescens. The crown should be level with the soil. Fruits can be large and heavy. Add a stake to prevent stem breakage. Pack gently and water.
You can mulch the base to retain moisture and cover the plant with a tunnel if the nights are still cool.
Fertilization
Fertilize until the first fruits appear.
Apply a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and potassium, such as a special tomato fertilizer.
Harvest
Harvesting begins in summer and lasts until the first frosts.
When the fruit has stopped growing and its skin is shiny, you can harvest it.
You can pick the fruit as soon as it's green, or wait until it changes color. The flavor will then be sweeter and the flesh thicker.
Slice off the stalk with a knife and remove the fruit carefully, so as not to damage your Capsicum frutescens.
Prune
Prune after the second wave of fruit appears.
When your plant has formed its first two waves of fruit, shorten the branches one leaf above the last fruit.
If you live in a region with little sunshine, deadhead your plants when they bear around ten fruits. This way, the plant will concentrate its energy on harvesting rather than growing.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Prepare the soil by adding compost to the dirt. Dig a planting hole slightly larger than the root ball.
Plant your Pepper. The root collar should be level with the soil and not buried. Add a stake to support the stems: the fruit can become heavy and cause them to break. Firm the soil and water.
If you're planting several plants, space them at least 50 centimeters apart.
Mulch around the base to retain moisture. You can also set up a tunnel to protect your young plants from cool nights.
Plant your Pepper. The root collar should be level with the soil and not buried. Add a stake to support the stems: the fruit can become heavy and cause them to break. Firm the soil and water.
If you're planting several plants, space them at least 50 centimeters apart.
Mulch around the base to retain moisture. You can also set up a tunnel to protect your young plants from cool nights.
Sowing
Peppers seedlings need a temperature of at least 20°C to germinate (ideally 24°C). Grow your seedlings indoors, using a heated mini-greenhouse or heat mat if necessary.
Pour a drainage layer into cups or a terrine, followed by potting soil for seedlings and plantations. Water: the substrate should be moist, but not soggy.
Plant your seeds. You can plant them in rows in your seed tray, or arrange three seeds per cup. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting soil (about 5 mm).
Water regularly to keep the soil fresh and aerate your mini-greenhouse to prevent rotting.
Pour a drainage layer into cups or a terrine, followed by potting soil for seedlings and plantations. Water: the substrate should be moist, but not soggy.
Plant your seeds. You can plant them in rows in your seed tray, or arrange three seeds per cup. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting soil (about 5 mm).
Water regularly to keep the soil fresh and aerate your mini-greenhouse to prevent rotting.
Frequently asked questions
Where to plant Capsicum frutescens?
Capsicum frutescens is best planted in full sun, in a warm spot sheltered from the wind. It thrives in light, fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. When planted in the garden, choose a well-exposed spot. In pots, plant on a south-facing terrace or balcony. Warmth is a key factor for abundant flowering and fruiting.
Can you grow tomatoes next to peppers?
Yes, it's possible, because peppers and tomatoes have similar needs: warmth, sun and rich soil. Tomatoes, scientifically named Solanum lycopersicum, belong to the same botanical family.
However, this proximity encourages the spread of common diseases. It is therefore advisable to space the plants, ensure good aeration and avoid excess humidity.
What vegetable shouldn't be planted next to chillies?
It's best to avoid other members of the Solanaceae family, such as potatoes and eggplants. These plants share the same diseases, notably downy mildew, and draw the same nutrients from the soil. Crop rotation remains the best strategy for limiting health risks.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubsPlanter
- Categories
- ShrubVegetable
- Tags
- BeginnerCold-sensitiveThirstyEdible vegetable
- Origins
- Central AmericaSouth America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 12a (10°C ≤ T° < 12.8°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower colors
- WhiteCream
- Fruit colors
- Dark greenLight greenRed
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