Habanero Pepper
Capsicum chinense 'Habanero'
vegetableThe habanero is one of the hotter peppers commonly grown, rated roughly 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville units, with a distinctive fruity, floral aroma beneath its fierce heat. The small, lantern-shaped pods ripen from green to orange or red, and unlike most garden peppers it is a Capsicum chinense that needs a long, hot season, often 90 to 100 days or more from transplant.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~90 days
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Difficulty
medium
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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 6 – 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 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost, since habaneros germinate slowly and need a long season, and transplant only after the soil reaches 65F and nights stay above 55F. Space plants about 18 inches apart in full sun with warm, fertile soil and steady moisture, feeding lightly. The plants love heat and crop heavily once summer warmth settles in.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 4
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first harvest
Jul 28
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, thrips, and spider mites
- Sweet Alyssum: Attracts hoverflies and wasps that control aphids
- French Marigold: Deters nematodes and aphids
- Onions: Masking scent helps repel 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
Draw in beneficial insects with alyssum and herbs; rinse colonies off
Row cover young transplants until established
Maintain even soil moisture and adequate calcium
🌾 Harvest & storage
Pick pods firm and fully colored orange or red for peak heat and fruity flavor, cutting with a short stem. Always wear gloves when picking and handling habaneros and keep your hands well away from your eyes and face, as the capsaicin burns skin.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Habaneros are very high in vitamin C and vitamin A with almost no calories, and they carry exceptionally high levels of capsaicin, the compound responsible for their intense heat and studied for its effects on metabolism and pain.
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.