Habanero peppers (Capsicum chinense) are some of the hottest peppers in the world, hotter even than jalapeno peppers. Their heat comes from the chemical capsaicin, which the plant produces as a natural deterrent to pests. Native to Central America, habanero peppers were grown and traded by ancient Native Americans. Habanero peppers are warm-season plants and hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10 to 11. They are easily started indoors and transplanted into the garden or outdoor pots as soon as temperatures rise above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fill pots with potting soil and moisten.
Plant three seeds per pot about 1/4 inch deep and keep warm at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit until the seedlings sprout.
Move the pot to a sunny location. When the seedlings are about 1 inch tall, thin to the strongest seedling in each pot.
Harden off the seedlings by moving them outdoors for a few hours each day, lengthening that time gradually. Do not leave plants outside until the nighttime temperatures are above 55 F.
Transplant the seedlings to a gardening space in full sun. Work 3 to 4 inches of organic matter into the top several inches of garden soil and transplant the seedlings, spacing them about 18 inches apart. Stake the peppers when transplanting so they do not topple in the wind. Peppers require minimal fertilizer. Compost incorporated into the planting area should suffice for the season.
Mulch around newly transplanted plants to retain moisture as moist soil is necessary for fruit formation.
Things You Will Need
- Potting soil
- Plastic sheet or bag
- Transplant trays or small pots
- Keep cutworms away from young plants by placing a paper cup or collar of tin foil around the base of the new plant.
- Hot peppers should be allowed to mature completely before harvesting to achieve full flavor.
- Wear rubber gloves when handling hot peppers as their oils can irritate or burn the skin.
- Habanero peppers are warm-season vegetables and do best in areas where nighttime temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In areas with temperatures that are borderline to optimum, trial and error may be necessary for individual gardens.
- Oregon State University: Commercial Vegetable Production Guides: Peppers
- Iowa State University: University Extension: Peppers
- Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Peppers in the Garden
- Reader's Digest The All New Illustrated Guide to Gardening; Fern Marshall Bradley, et al.
- Learn2Grow: Capsicum Chinense
- University of California: Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco County: Tomato and Pepper Plant Sale 2012
- Kim Carson/Photodisc/Getty Images