Chilli Carolina Reaper

Chilli ‘Carolina Reaper’

Botanical name: Capsicum chinense

• Packet size: 25 seeds.

‘Carolina Reaper’ is one of the hottest chillies in the world, known for its distinctive wrinkled skin and pointed tail. The small, red fruit pack extreme heat with a fruity, slightly sweet flavour underneath the intensity. Best used sparingly in sauces, salsas, and dried powders. Plants are vigorous and highly productive once established, continuing to fruit over a long period. On the Scoville heat scale, it can exceed 1,500,000 units and grows to around 80–120cm tall, taking longer to mature than most chilli varieties.

Plant Type: Warm season, frost-tender perennial (grown as an annual)

Plant Height: 80 – 120 cm

Sow When:

• Temperate: Early spring indoors with heat; transplant after frost risk has passed
• Subtropical: Late winter – spring; avoid peak summer heat for seedlings
• Tropical: Dry season preferred; avoid heavy rain periods

Germination:

• Depth: 5 – 8 mm deep
• Position: Full sun
• Sow Where: Start in seedling trays or pots; transplant once well established
• Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil, pH 6.0 – 6.8

Spacing: 50 – 70 cm between plants

Details: Requires warmth for successful germination (25–30°C ideal); use gloves when handling fruit; avoid overwatering; stake plants if heavily laden with fruit

Harvest: 120 – 150 days; harvest when fully red; suitable for drying, sauces and extreme heat applications; continues to produce over a long season

Want more help? Check out our The Ultimate Guide to Chilli Varieties for tips on choosing seeds, growing, and harvesting chillies.