Cayenne Pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) is one of the most widely used spices in the world. This variety of pepper has also gained much of its fame due to its use in traditional medicine. For both of these reasons it has remained a favourite around the world and we don’t see this changing any time soon. In fact, with the resurge in natural medicinal methods over the last few years, this plant may have become more popular and well known than ever.
Besides Cayenne Pepper’s culinary purposes, these fantastic little peppers also provide high levels of Vitamins A,C, B6, K, Potassium & Iron among other essential vitamins & minerals.
If you are unaware of Cayenne Pepper’s medicinal properties, here is a link with some information on just a few!
Click here to view our other chilli varieties.
Scoville Heat Units (SHU) – 30,000-50,000
Growth
Cayenne Pepper plants usually grow to around 60-100 cm’s (2-3 feet) tall, although can get much larger in warmer climates or if ‘overwintered’ in cooler climates. The peppers themselves are long and thin with an average length between 10-15cm (4-6 inches) and 1-2cm (0.4-0.8 inch) in width.
Cayenne Pepper can be grown in pots, and this is preferable in cooler climates. The species name for this chilli is annuum; meaning yearly or annual, however; in tropical climates where they thrive, they can live for many years and grow quite large. In climates where temperatures get to below 12°C / 60°F they will die back and depending on how cold your climate gets; may grow back once the weather warms, but very often over winter will die. If you want them to survive over winter, they are best taken indoors and kept in a warm, sunny room.
Overwintering
It is best to cut your chilli plant back and treat with Neem Oil prior to taking it indoors, unless you are going to provide artificial light and humidity. The Chilli plant will likely go dormant, so be careful not to over water and rot the roots, they just need to survive (hibernate) over the winter and will grow back once the sunnier, warmer weather returns. Of course, if you can provide a greenhouse environment with heating and artificial light, you may continue to harvest; but this is time consuming and costly for most gardeners.
It is worth noting that Chilli’s varieties (members of the ‘Capsicum’ family) will cross pollinate with each other, so if you are wanting to grow a specific variety of chilli – DO NOT grow other types nearby and hope neighbours within a 100-metre radius don’t have another variety either; because they will not stay true to type if cross pollination occurs.
We always recommend growing your food organically, so when fertilising or trying to keep pests under control, keep in mind that there are always organic options. Your body and family will thank you!
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Solanaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
12 to 40°C / 54 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Compost, nutrient rich soil, that must be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full sun, afternoon shade in hot summer to prevent leaf burn.
HEIGHT:
Average of 60-100 cm’s (2-3 feet) – can grow larger if in ideal climate.
WIDTH:
Up to 60-80 cm’s (2-2½ feet)
pH:
6.0-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Technically it is a perennial plant but usually grown as an annual.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Bisexual flowers. Self Pollinating or pollinated by Bees and other insects.
MATURITY:
Average 14 weeks
GERMINATION RATES:
94%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-14 days
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 150
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Store at 4°C/39.2°F (fridge) for up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT CAPSICUM ANNUUM (Cayenne Pepper)
Cayenne Peppers are said to have originated from Cayenne, French Guianna. While this is most likely true, we haven’t been able to find any hard evidence to support this.
It is recorded that Nicholas Culpeper, an English Botanist, Herbalist and Physician mentioned Cayenne Pepper in regards to its pharmaceutical properties, in his book titled ‘The English Physitian’ back in 1655!
The active ingredient that make Pepper Sprays so potent is called ‘Capsaicin’. This is present in high quantities in Cayenne Pepper and is also an ingredient that has numerous health benefits.
Chillies can be dried and then frozen, they can be stored this way for up to a year.
