Capsicum chinense

"Habanero-type" peppers are a pepper species native to parts of South America.  Like other pepper species, the fruits are brightly colored and used worldwide for food, spice, and medicine.  It contains some of the hottest peppers to exist, including the current world record holder 'Carolina Reaper'.

Grow in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun.  Plant only when nighttime temperatures are at least 55F; seedlings may be started indoors earlier and transplanted at this time. These plants enjoy heat and tolerate drought, though prolonged drought may affect fruit quality.  These plants are resistant to deer browsing.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Peppers share many pests and diseases with other nightshade family plants.  It is important to look out for aphids, whiteflies, cutworms, pepper maggots, and Colorado potato beetles. This plant is also sensitive to Verticillium wilt (a fungal pathogen) and mosaic virus (which should show a uniform yellow-green mosaic across the leaves followed by wilt).

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.