How to Grow an Etna Pepper

Work the soil to a depth of about 8 to 10 inches. Loose soil helps the roots get established. It also helps kill any weeds that might compete with the peppers for water and nutrients.

Plant Etna seeds or seedlings 18 inches apart once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime soil temperature should be about 80 degrees Fahrenheit for seeds, but it can be slightly less if you are planting started seedlings. Put seeds about ¼ inch deep in the soil. Plant seedlings so that the roots are covered to the crown (the point where they join the stem).

Water the peppers with a soaker hose during dry periods, especially after the fruit has set. Don't saturate the soil, but keep it slightly moist. Peppers require uniform levels of moisture, so don't soak them one day and allow them to dry out the next.

Mulch around Etna peppers to hold in moisture. This helps with moisture consistency.

Apply fertilizer as a side-dressing once the plants have set the first flush of fruit. Add it to the top of the soil, but don't try to dig it in, as the pepper plants are likely to be damaged if you do.

Cut Etna peppers from the bush instead of pulling them off. This helps prevent damage to the plant. As the peppers are removed, the plant develops new fruits to replace them.