Description
The Carolina Reaper Chilli was officially the hottest chilli in the world at one point (now the Pepper X) with an average Scoville heat rating of 1.5 million and a Guinness Book of Records Peak of 2.2 million. They are not for those faint of heart!
Great care should be taken when touching these chilli seeds and mature fruit (gloves are recommended) and always wash your hands after coming into contact with them.
This variety can be difficult to germinate (usually 14-28 days) and require a minimum soil temperature of 28-30C (82-86F), so a heated propagator is required.
These are genuine Carolina Reaper Seeds produced in isolated conditions and fresh from the latest harvest. The fruits average 4-5cm in diameter maturing from green to a bright scarlet red with a gnarled look and characteristic pointed tail.
The Scoville scale is a measurement of the pungency (spicy heat) of chilli peppers such as the jalapeño, the bhut jolokia, and the world's current hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper, or other spicy foods as reported in Scoville heat units (SHU), a function of capsaicin concentration. Capsaicin is one of many related chemicals, collectively called capsaicinoids. The scale is named after its creator, American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville. His method, devised in 1912, is known as the Scoville Organoleptic Test.
| When to Sow | Sow indoors January to April, plant out May to June in pots. |
| Where to Sow | Sow seeds 0.5cm (1/4in) deep, in modules or trays filled with moist, warm compost and place in a light position such as a south facing windowsill or where temperature is 28-30C (82-86F), preferably in a heated propagator. |
| Likes a sunny , light position once germinated | |
| Prefers well drained soil that must be kept moist. | |
| What to do Next | When the seedlings are about 15cm (6in) high, transplant to their final growing positions planting 40cm (16in) apart or 2 to 3 plants per pot/container. |
| Please note this variety is not suited to outdoor cultivation in the UK at any stage and will not appreciate an unheated greenhouse in early spring until the weather warms. | |
| Give a nitrogen feed once 2 to 3 chillies have appeared. | |
| Harvest | Harvest in 18 to 20 weeks, from July to October. |
| Carolina Reaper chillies have a heat rating of up to 1.5-2.2 million Scoville Units. | |
| Take great care when handling the seeds and mature pods as contact with sensitive areas of skin or eyes can cause a severe burning sensation. Gloves are recommended. | |
| Wash your hands immediately after handling chillies or seeds. | |
| All chillies are better grown in a pot or container because the soil can warm up quickly. | |
| If you have only one chilli growing and you see no others forming, pick it, this will encourage more to grow. | |
| Companion Planting | Hot peppers like to be grouped with cucumbers, aubergine, tomato, okra, Swiss chard and squash. |
| Nutritional Information | Chillies are rich in antioxidant plant compounds that have been linked with various health benefits. Most notable is capsaicin, which is responsible for the pungent (hot) taste of chilli peppers. |
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