Care of a Red Habanero Pepper Plant

Soil and Light

• Habanero peppers grow best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. While peppers tolerate variations in soil pH, they grow best when the pH is between 6.0 and 6.8. Test with a home test kit or pH meter, or send a soil sample to your county extension service for analysis. Site habaneros in full sun for the best fruit production.

Water and Fertilizer

• Like all peppers, habaneros grow best when watered regularly and evenly. Use mulch or plastic sheeting around the plants to help keep the soil around the roots moist. Drought or uneven watering can cause blossom end rot on the developing fruit. Use a fertilizer formulated for vegetable crops and follow the package directions carefully for the proper amount to apply to each plant. Don't overfeed -- too much fertilizer damages the roots and can cause peppers to produce excessive leaf growth with few flowers or fruit. Always apply fertilizer to moist soil to prevent chemical burns to the plant.

Spacing and Staking

• Space habanero plants 18 inches apart in rows spaced at least 24 to 30 inches apart. Pepper plants are top-heavy when laden with fruit and will blow over in a strong storm, so give them sturdy support at planting time. Tie each plant to a 4-foot stake pushed 15 to 18 inches into the ground or set a small tomato cage around each plant.

Other Considerations

• Rotate your habaneros and other peppers yearly, and don't plant them where tomatoes, potatoes or eggplants grew the previous year, since all these plants are susceptible to the same soilborne pests and diseases. Wait until night temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit before setting out peppers.

Warning

• Habaneros are extremely hot peppers, clocking in at 80,000 to 445,000 on the Scoville scale -- by comparison, jalapenos are 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units. Always wear rubber gloves when harvesting or handling the fruit. It's a good idea to work outside when cleaning the fruit, if possible. If you get the volatile oils on your hands, wash well with soap and water and then soak your hands in milk to neutralize the oils. If you inadvertently get the oil in your eyes, seek medical help.