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Habanero 'Red Savina'

Capsicum chinense 'Red Savina'

Once the world's hottest pepper, this fiery habanero delivers intense heat with surprising fruity flavor. The deep red, wrinkled pods pack serious punch at 200,000-350,000 Scoville units, making them perfect for hot sauce enthusiasts who want extreme heat with gourmet flavor.

Harvest

90-100d

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 Habanero 'Red Savina' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Habanero 'Red Savina' · Zones 10–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate to difficult

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-draining sandy loam with organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture but not waterlogged

SeasonWarm season

FlavorExtremely hot with fruity, citrusy undertones and slight smokiness

ColorDeep red

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	—	September – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	—	September – October
Zone 5	March – March	May – June	—	September – October
Zone 6	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	—	August – October
Zone 8	February – February	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 9	January – January	March – April	—	June – August
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 Red Savina peppers store best at room temperature for 1-2 weeks if kept dry and well-ventilated. For longer storage, refrigerate in a paper bag for up to one month, checking regularly for soft spots that indicate spoilage.

For preservation, drying works exceptionally well with Red Savinas. String whole peppers together and hang in a warm, dry location with good air circulation, or use a food dehydrator at 125°F until completely crisp. Dried peppers retain their heat for years when stored in airtight containers.

Freezing whole peppers preserves heat levels and works perfectly for hot sauce making — simply remove stems and freeze in bags. The texture becomes soft after thawing, but flavor and heat remain intense. Fermentation is another excellent preservation method that actually enhances the fruity flavor profile while maintaining the signature heat.

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

Marigolds

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds

Tomatoes

Share similar growing requirements and can benefit from same pest management

Oregano

Repels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Carrots

Help break up soil and don't compete for nutrients or space

Onions

Deter aphids, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects with sulfur compounds

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control pepper pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling whiteflies

Keep Apart

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

Brassicas

Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in pepper plants

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 resistance to bacterial leaf spot and tobacco mosaic virus

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevils, flea beetles

Diseases

Bacterial leaf spot, pepper mottle virus, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Red Savina habanero take to grow from seed?▼

Red Savina habaneros require 90-100 days from transplant to first harvest, plus 8-10 weeks for indoor seed starting. Total time from seed to harvest is approximately 18-22 weeks. The long growing season requires starting seeds indoors in late winter for most growing zones.

Can you grow Red Savina habanero in containers?▼

Yes, Red Savina habaneros grow excellently in containers. Use at least a 5-gallon pot with drainage holes and high-quality potting mix. Container growing allows better temperature control and easier pest management, making it ideal for cooler climates where soil temperatures struggle to stay warm.

How hot is Red Savina habanero compared to regular habaneros?▼

Red Savina habaneros measure 200,000-350,000 Scoville Heat Units, making them 2-3 times hotter than regular habaneros (100,000-350,000 SHU). They maintain the fruity habanero flavor but deliver significantly more intense heat that requires careful handling and sparing use in cooking.

Is Red Savina habanero good for beginners?▼

Red Savina is rated moderate to difficult and not recommended for beginning pepper growers. The long growing season, specific temperature requirements, and need for consistent care make it challenging. New gardeners should start with easier habanero varieties before attempting Red Savina.

When should I plant Red Savina habanero seeds?▼

Start Red Savina seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost date. For most areas, this means starting seeds in late February to early March. Seeds require soil temperatures of 80-85°F for germination and can take 2-3 weeks to sprout even under ideal conditions.

What does Red Savina habanero taste like?▼

Red Savina habaneros deliver intense, searing heat with complex fruity and citrusy undertones plus slight smokiness. The flavor is similar to regular habaneros but more concentrated, with the extreme heat initially overwhelming the fruity notes until your palate adjusts to the intensity.