How to Grow Caribbean Red Pepper

Caribbean red peppers, which can be of either the habanero or Scotch bonnet variety, are some of the hottest peppers known to man. Caribbean reds can measure between 100,000 and 445,000 on the Scoville scale, which measures pepper’s relative hotness. Peppers are a warm-weather crop, but require little room to grow and produce fruit. They are an easy way to add variety to your backyard or container garden. Wear gloves when handling the peppers. The capsaicin oil in the peppers, which gives them their heat, can burn sensitive skin.

Caribbean red pepper starts
Container or raised bed
Watering can or hose
Water-soluble fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Choose an area that receives full or partial sun for your pepper container or bed location. Ensure there is adequate drainage for the peppers. Without good drainage, the plant roots drown.
- 2
  Replant the pepper starts in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Peppers need a long, warm growing season. If you live in a cool climate, consider growing peppers in a container even if you have a garden, to better control the plant’s temperature.
- 3
  Space the plants about 15 inches between each plant and row. Ensure they are planted deep enough to completely cover their roots.
- 4
  Water them thoroughly after transplanting. Water the plants thereafter when the soil feels dry. During dry, hot months, this requires daily watering.
- 5
  Dissolve about 2 tablespoons of a water-soluble fertilizer in one gallon of water. Give each plant about two cups of the solution, once or twice a month.

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