Hungarian Hot Wax
Capsicum annuum 'Hungarian Hot Wax'
A versatile heirloom pepper that delivers the perfect balance of heat and flavor, popular in Eastern European cuisine. These bright yellow peppers ripen to vibrant red and offer a moderate kick that's perfect for gardeners wanting something spicier than a bell pepper but milder than a jalapeño. Extremely productive plants produce an abundance of peppers perfect for pickling, stuffing, or fresh eating.
Harvest
70-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Hungarian Hot Wax in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 pepper →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Hungarian Hot Wax · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| 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 Hungarian Hot Wax peppers store best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, maintaining quality for 2-3 weeks when kept in perforated plastic bags. Avoid washing before storage—clean only when ready to use. At room temperature, they'll last 3-5 days before beginning to soften.
For preservation, pickling is the traditional method that showcases this variety's crisp texture and balanced heat. Quick pickle in vinegar brine or ferment for deeper flavor development. These peppers freeze exceptionally well when sliced and blanched for 2 minutes, maintaining their heat level for up to 8 months.
Dehydrating works well for red-ripe peppers—slice into rings and dry until crisp, then store in airtight containers. The moderate heat level makes Hungarian Hot Wax perfect for pepper flakes and powder. Roasted and frozen peppers maintain excellent flavor for soups and stews throughout winter.
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
Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently, mutual pest deterrence
Oregano
Repels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Marigolds
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Carrots
Loosens soil around pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Onions
Repels aphids, thrips, and other pests with sulfur compounds
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Lettuce
Provides living mulch and utilizes space efficiently without root competition
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits pepper growth and development
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that stunt pepper growth and development
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and can attract pests that also damage peppers
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169394)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general resistance, tolerant of cool weather
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, flea beetles
Diseases
Bacterial spot, pepper mosaic virus, anthracnose