- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 18 - 24 Inches
- Mature Spread 10 - 12 Inches
- Growing Zones 9 - 12
So you think you want to try the World’s Hottest Pepper? Well, Carolina Reaper would be the one to try. Officially rated with the most Scoville units in 2013 and again in 2018, Carolina Reaper is a cross between Ghost Pepper and Red Habanero. Some of the fruits have been rated at 2.2 million Scoville units! Although this pepper is amazingly hot, it has a delightfully sweet and fruity flavor just before the heat kicks in. Each plant is a heavy producer of small red, lantern-shaped fruit that may or may not have a scorpion-like tail. Carolina Reaper can be used fresh, cooked, or dried for the most mind-blowing pepper flakes.
Carolina Reaper Hot Pepper Care
Pepper plants like lots of sun, lots of heat, and well-draining soil. They are perennial in zones 9-12 but are grown as an annual in the rest of the USDA zones. Place the plant starts out in the garden when nighttime temperatures are above 50 degrees F in late spring. Carolina Reaper can also be greenhouse grown in the coldest areas. Add a slow-release granular fertilizer for vegetables, or mix in organic compost to the soil before planting. Space plants at 12 inches on center, and give each plant a 2-foot piece of bamboo cane for support when the fruit is ripening. No pinching of the main stem is required.
Growing Carolina Reaper Hot Pepper
Carolina Reaper will produce fruit 90 days after transplanting and will continue until the first frost. Regular picking of ripe fruit helps the immature fruits ripen. Hot Peppers will tolerate cooler nighttime temperatures than other peppers but will not form fruit or ripen if the daily temperature is above 90 F for many days. Carolina Reaper plants that are grown as perennials can live to be 10 years or older. In cold USDA zones, the plants can be brought in as houseplants over the winter and treated like a tender perennial. Indoors, Carolina Reaper will require full sun exposure from a south-facing window.
Hot Pepper plants are compact growers that seldom reach more than 2-3 feet in height and spread. They are perfect for growing in containers in the greenhouse, on a patio, or on a deck. Choose a pot with at least a 10-inch diameter. Use a potting mix that is free draining and contains compost. Fertilize with liquid seaweed or fish emulsion every 2 weeks until peppers begin to form. Watering may need to be done on a daily basis. Do not let more than the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out between waterings.
Watering Carolina Reaper Hot Pepper
Hot Peppers prefer consistently moist soil. Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry between waterings to ensure that the roots do not become waterlogged. Depending on humidity and temperature, watering with at least one inch of water, once a week is ideal.
Feeding Carolina Reaper Hot Pepper
Add a granular fertilizer for tomatoes or roses at planting time. This will release nutrients for 3-4 months. Water with diluted liquid seaweed or fish emulsion once a month when plants start to bloom. Stop fertilizing when the fruits form.
Carolina Reaper Hot Pepper Plant Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 - 12 |
| Plant Type: Edible Plants |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 18 - 24 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 10 - 12 Inches |
| Spacing: 10 - 12 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): None |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: N/A |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: N/A |
| Tolerates: N/A |
| Attracts: Bees |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: N/A |
| Features: N/A |
| Brand: Goodness Grows |
| Common Name: Carolina Reaper Hot Pepper Plant |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Pepper 'Carolna Reaper' |
- SKU:
- 1231013906-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations