Carolina Reaper Pepper
Capsicum chinense 'Carolina Reaper'
vegetableCarolina Reaper held the Guinness World Record as the hottest pepper from 2013 to 2023, with heat levels averaging 1.56 million Scoville units and individual pods reaching 2.2 million SHU. The small wrinkled red pods with the signature scorpion-style tail carry a fruity sweet undertone behind the wall of capsaicin heat. Use sparingly and wear gloves.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~120 days
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Difficulty
hard
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
18-24 in in row, 24-30 in between rows
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Planting Depth
Set transplants at the same depth as the nursery cell
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Soil pH
6.0-6.8
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7 – 11
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light feed at transplant; side-dress at first flower
Fertilizer
Balanced 5-10-10 or fish emulsion; avoid heavy nitrogen which delays fruit set
🌱 Growing Guide
Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost in soil warmed to 80 to 90F (Carolina Reaper germinates slowly and unevenly below 75F). Transplant to the garden only after night temperatures stay above 60F; this Capsicum chinense variety stalls below that. Set plants 18 in apart in full sun with 24 in between rows. The plant needs a long warm season of 90 to 120 days and prefers consistent moisture and warm-roots; black plastic mulch helps in zones below 8.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Jan 21
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first harvest
Aug 27
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FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Basil — Repels aphids and may improve pepper flavor; pairs well in the same bed
- Marigolds — Suppress soil nematodes that damage pepper roots
- Carrots — Loosen soil and use different root depths; live well with peppers
- Onions — Sulfur compounds discourage aphids around the bed
❌ Keep away from
FennelBrassicas
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Encourage ladybugs and lacewings; blast colonies with water and avoid heavy nitrogen
Hand-pick large green caterpillars at dusk; spray Bt only on heavy infestations
Maintain consistent soil moisture and adequate calcium; mulch deeply to even out water
Avoid overhead watering, rotate peppers out of the bed for 3 years, and remove infected leaves promptly
🌾 Harvest & storage
Carolina Reaper ripens 90 to 120 days from transplant. Pick pods when they turn fully red and the wrinkles deepen; immature green or yellow pods are spicy but lack the full fruity flavor. Always wear nitrile gloves and avoid touching your face during picking and processing. Reapers dehydrate well at 135F for 24 hours into a stable powder, or freeze whole.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
About 40 calories per 100 g fresh with 1.5 g fiber, very high vitamin C, and very high capsaicinoids. Capsaicin (the heat compound) has been studied for pain relief, metabolism, and cardiovascular effects, though Reaper levels far exceed culinary needs; even 1 percent in a recipe is intensely hot.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.