Cayenne Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Cayenne'
vegetableThe cayenne is a long, slender, thin-walled hot pepper rated about 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units, several times hotter than a jalapeno, that ripens from green to brilliant red. Its thin walls dry easily, making it the classic pepper for grinding into cayenne powder and crushed red pepper flakes, as well as for hot sauces, in about 70 to 75 days.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~75 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
18-24 in. apart
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Planting Depth
1/4 in.
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Soil pH
5.5-6.8
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 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
At transplant, then lightly after fruit set
Fertilizer
Balanced 5-10-10, low nitrogen
🌱 Growing Guide
Start seed indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant only after the soil reaches 65F and nights stay above 55F, spacing plants about 18 inches apart in full sun. Give warm, fertile soil and steady moisture, and feed lightly so plants set fruit rather than excess leaves. Stake plants once they are heavy with pods, and mulch to keep moisture even.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first harvest
Jul 13
JJan
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 thrips
- Sweet Alyssum — Draws hoverflies and parasitic wasps
- French Marigold — Deters nematodes
- Onions — Scent helps mask plants from aphids
❌ 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 hoverflies and ladybugs with alyssum; rinse colonies off
Use row cover over young transplants
Keep soil moisture even; mulch to buffer
🌾 Harvest & storage
Pick cayennes green for milder heat or, more commonly, let them ripen to deep red for full pungency, cutting with a short stem. Their thin walls make them ideal for drying whole on a string or in a dehydrator; wear gloves and keep your hands away from your eyes when handling hot peppers.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Hot peppers like cayenne are rich in vitamins C and A for almost no calories, and their heat comes from capsaicin, the compound studied for boosting metabolism and easing pain that is also used in topical creams.
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.