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.