Chili Pepper
Capsicum annuum
A bushy herbaceous plant displaying slender, upright, bright red conical fruits that mature from green, accompanied by green foliage.
- Light
- Full sun, 6 to 8 hours per day
- Water
- Water regularly when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry; avoid waterlogged soil and drought stress
- Growth
- Perennial grown as an annual, upright branching growth form, reaching heights of 1 to 3 feet with a similar spread, moderate growth rate
Care instructions
Provide full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily, water deeply when the top inch of soil becomes dry, and use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, 6 to 8 hours per day
Watering
Water regularly when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry; avoid waterlogged soil and drought stress
Soil
Rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 6.8
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 9 to 11 as a perennial, often grown as an annual in cooler regions
Growth habit
Perennial grown as an annual, upright branching growth form, reaching heights of 1 to 3 feet with a similar spread, moderate growth rate
Bloom season
Spring to summer with small, star-shaped white flowers
Propagation
Propagated primarily through seeds started indoors in early spring, or via stem cuttings
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and root rot caused by overwatering; manage with appropriate horticultural oils or soaps and ensure proper drainage
Similar species
Other Capsicum species like Capsicum frutescens and Capsicum chinense, distinguished by fruit shape, orientation, and calyx characteristics