- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 24 - 30 Inches
- Mature Spread 12 - 15 Inches
- Growing Zones 9 - 12
Gong Bao Hot Pepper is an essential ingredient in Thai curries and other spicy Asian foods. The long, thin chilis pack a punch with 5,000 and 10,000 Scoville heat units. Sometimes this pepper is called Kung Pao Pepper, which evokes the dish that made this hot pepper famous. There is no need to wait for Gong Bao to turn entirely red before eating, although the heat is more intense the riper this chili is.
Gong Bao Hot Pepper Care
Plant hot peppers in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sun daily and has well-draining soil. Mix in 1-2 inches of organic compost before planting and mulch the root zone well with 2-3 inches of straw, shredded leaves, or compost after planting. Hot Peppers are drought tolerant and require less than 1 inch of water a week, either supplemental or natural rainfall. Overwatering peppers will result in root rot and mildewy foliage. Make sure to provide stake support at planting time for each pepper. The plants get top-heavy when fruit begins to form and need to be tied into a stake for support.
Growing Gong Bao Hot Pepper
Gong Bao takes up to 60 days after transplanting for the fruit to ripen. In extremely hot weather, 95 degrees F or above, the plants will slow down ripening and stop growth until cooler weather arrives. Expect the plants to reach a height of 30 inches and spread of 18 inches. Space each plant 18 inches apart on center if planting in a large grouping.
Gong Bao Peppers will grow well in containers or in a greenhouse to extend the beginning and end of their growing season. Use containers with excellent drainage in the bottom and a soil-based potting mix with plenty of perlite added. Pots that have a diameter of at least 8 inches will give the roots enough room to develop. Peppers are often added to late summer, mixed containers to add color and structure. The long fruits of Gong Bao Hot Pepper would make a fabulous thriller element in such a container.
Watering Gong Bao Hot Pepper
Water peppers when the top 3-4 inches of soil have dried out. These plants are natives of tropical jungles with dry soil and do not like to be overwatered. Water container-grown plants when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry.
Feeding Gong Bao Hot Pepper
Fertilize Hot peppers sparingly. Use a feed with a higher Phosphorous content to support heavy flowering and fruiting. Tomato and Rose fertilizers have the right NPK ratio for growing peppers. Apply a granular feed during planting, or water with a diluted liquid fertilizer every two weeks until the peppers start to form.
Gong Bao 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: 24 - 30 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 12 - 15 Inches |
| Spacing: 12 - 15 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): None |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: N/A |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: N/A |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: N/A |
| Tolerates: N/A |
| Attracts: N/A |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: N/A |
| Features: N/A |
| Brand: Goodness Grows |
| Common Name: Gong Bao Hot Pepper Plant |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Pepper 'Gong Bao' |
- SKU:
- 1231013909-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.
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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