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Carolina Reaper

Capsicum chinense 'Carolina Reaper'

The world's hottest pepper according to Guinness World Records, bred by Ed Currie in South Carolina for extreme heat enthusiasts. These wrinkled, scorpion-tailed peppers pack an incredible 2.2 million+ Scoville units along with a surprising fruity sweetness before the intense heat kicks in. Despite their fearsome reputation, they're surprisingly easy to grow and produce abundantly for those brave enough to handle the ultimate pepper challenge.

Harvest

90-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Blossom-End Rot of Tomato

☀️

Zones

10–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-30 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Carolina Reaper in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 pepper →

Zone Map

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Carolina Reaper · Zones 10–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate to challenging

Spacing24-36 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good drainage

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent but not excessive

SeasonWarm season

FlavorFruity and sweet initially, then extreme heat at 2.2+ million Scoville units

ColorGreen ripening to bright red with bumpy texture

Size1-2 inches long, 1 inch wide

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – April	June – July	—	October – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	—	September – October
Zone 5	March – March	May – June	—	September – October
Zone 6	March – March	May – June	—	September – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	—	August – October
Zone 8	February – February	April – May	—	August – October
Zone 9	January – January	March – April	—	July – September
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	—	June – August

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: KAP-sih-kum chy-NEN-see. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Fruits are a non-pulpy berry and vary considerably across cultivars in shape and color. Many tend to have a lumpy, crinkled appearance compared to other species. They contain high capsaicin levels.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, White. Type: Berry. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Showy

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Carolina Reapers store best at room temperature for 3-5 days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks when kept in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer. For longer storage, freezing works exceptionally well - simply wash, dry, and freeze whole peppers in freezer bags for up to one year. The texture changes after freezing, but heat and flavor remain intact.

Drying Carolina Reapers concentrates their heat and creates a shelf-stable product perfect for hot sauce making. String them up in a well-ventilated area or use a food dehydrator at 135°F until completely brittle. Fermentation is another excellent preservation method - chop peppers and ferment in 2% salt brine for 2-4 weeks to develop complex flavors while maintaining their scorching heat. Always work with extreme caution and proper ventilation when processing these peppers.

History & Origin

Origin: Bolivia, northern Brazil, and Peru

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Heat
+Attracts: Songbirds
+Wildlife value: Birds are immune to the capsaicin in peppers and can safely eat the fruits with no ill effects. Therefore, these plants may attract birds.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially enhancing pepper flavor

Marigold

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds

Oregano

Repels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Carrots

Helps break up soil for pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients

Onions

Repels aphids, thrips, and other pests with sulfur compounds

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Chives

Deters aphids and may improve pepper growth and flavor

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits nightshade family growth

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt pepper growth

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may inhibit pepper development

Nutrition Facts

Calories

27kcal(1%)

Protein

1.66g(3%)

Fiber

3.4g(12%)

Carbs

5.35g(2%)

Fat

0.45g(1%)

Vitamin C

82.7mg(92%)

Vitamin A

17mcg(2%)

Vitamin K

9.5mcg(8%)

Iron

0.46mg(3%)

Calcium

14mg(1%)

Potassium

256mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169394)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good natural resistance typical of C. chinense varieties

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, pepper weevil

Diseases

Bacterial leaf spot, pepper mosaic virus, phytophthora blight

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Carolina Reapers from seed?▼

Carolina Reapers take 90-120 days from transplant to harvest, plus 10-12 weeks of indoor seed starting before transplanting. Total growing time is typically 6-7 months from seed to harvest, making them one of the longest-season pepper varieties. The slow germination (2-4 weeks) and long maturation period require patience but result in incredibly productive plants.

Can you grow Carolina Reapers in containers?▼

Yes, Carolina Reapers grow excellently in containers using at least 10-gallon pots with drainage holes. Container growing actually offers advantages in northern climates since you can move plants indoors before frost to extend the harvest season. Use high-quality potting mix and stake plants early, as container-grown Reapers still reach 3-4 feet tall and become top-heavy with fruit.

What does a Carolina Reaper taste like?▼

Carolina Reapers have a distinctive fruity, almost sweet flavor for the first 10-15 seconds, followed by an intense, building heat that peaks around 2.2 million Scoville units. The initial sweetness makes them prized for hot sauce making, as they add complex flavor along with extreme heat rather than just burning sensation.

Are Carolina Reapers safe to eat?▼

Carolina Reapers are safe to eat in very small quantities for most healthy adults, but their extreme heat can cause significant discomfort, digestive upset, and skin irritation. Always wear gloves when handling, start with tiny amounts, and have dairy products on hand. People with heart conditions, digestive issues, or capsaicin sensitivity should avoid them entirely.

Carolina Reaper vs Ghost Pepper - what's the difference?▼

Carolina Reapers are significantly hotter than Ghost Peppers, measuring 2.2+ million Scoville units compared to Ghost Peppers' 1 million SHU. Reapers have a distinctive wrinkled appearance with a scorpion tail, while Ghost Peppers are smoother and more elongated. Carolina Reapers also offer more fruity sweetness before the heat kicks in.

When should I plant Carolina Reaper seeds?▼

Start Carolina Reaper seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last expected frost date. For most regions, this means starting seeds in January or February for transplanting in May. The long lead time is necessary due to slow germination and the need for warm soil temperatures (60°F+ nighttime) before transplanting outdoors.