Cayenne 'Long Red Cayenne'
Capsicum annuum 'Long Red Cayenne'
The classic hot pepper that's been setting kitchens on fire since the 1800s, Long Red Cayenne is the go-to variety for homemade hot sauce and dried pepper flakes. These slender, curved peppers pack substantial heat while remaining incredibly useful in the kitchen, drying beautifully and grinding into the perfect pizza-shaking spice. Extremely productive and reliable, it's an essential variety for any serious pepper grower.
Harvest
75-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Cayenne 'Long Red Cayenne' in USDA Zone 7
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Cayenne 'Long Red Cayenne' · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
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. Water: KAP-sih-kum AN-yoo-um. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Fruits are a non-pulpy berry and vary considerably across cultivars. Some are long, thin, bright red, and spicy; others are thick, large, and sweet-tasting; others still are small and in ornamental shapes and colors, grown as decoration.
Color: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Type: Berry. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Showy
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Long Red Cayenne peppers store best at room temperature for 3-5 days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Store in a paper bag or perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer to maintain optimal humidity without encouraging mold.
Drying is the traditional preservation method for cayennes. Thread whole peppers on string and hang in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area, or cut lengthwise and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours. Properly dried cayennes store for years and can be ground into powder or flakes.
Freezing works well for cooking use—simply wash, dry, and freeze whole peppers in freezer bags. They'll lose their crisp texture but retain heat and flavor for up to 8 months. For hot sauce enthusiasts, fermentation creates complex flavors: submerge chopped peppers in 3% salt brine for 2-4 weeks before blending.
History & Origin
Origin: Tropical North and South America
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. Host plant for Potato Tuber Moth.
- +Edible: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor
Tomatoes
Share similar growing conditions and can help shade pepper plants from intense sun
Oregano
Deters pests like aphids and spider mites with its strong aromatic oils
Carrots
Help break up soil around pepper roots and don't compete for nutrients
Onions
Repel aphids, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects that damage peppers
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control pepper pests
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling squash bugs
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits pepper growth and can cause wilting
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of peppers and most vegetables
Brassicas
Compete heavily for nutrients and may inhibit pepper growth through root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170932)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease resistance, hardy variety
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, hornworms
Diseases
Bacterial spot, anthracnose, pepper mosaic virus, phytophthora blight