Chocolate Habanero
Capsicum chinense 'Chocolate Habanero'
An exotic Caribbean heirloom that produces beautiful chocolate-brown pods with intense heat and a distinctive smoky-sweet flavor that sets it apart from regular habaneros. Also known as Congo Black, this variety delivers serious heat (up to 450,000 Scoville units) while maintaining the fruity habanero character. The striking dark color and complex flavor make it a prized variety among hot pepper enthusiasts.
Harvest
95-110d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
12-30 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Chocolate Habanero in USDA Zone 10
All Zone 10 tropical →Zone Map
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Chocolate Habanero · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | 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
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, thrips, and spider mites while potentially enhancing pepper flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and aphids while providing ground cover
Cilantro
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps for pest control
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, draws pests away from peppers
Tomato
Similar growing requirements and both benefit from same companion plants
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects and provides living mulch without competing for nutrients
Chives
Repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects with sulfur compounds
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits pepper growth and can cause wilting
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt pepper growth and development
Kohlrabi
Competes heavily for nutrients and can stunt pepper plant development
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 disease resistance typical of C. chinense varieties
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, whiteflies
Diseases
Bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, pepper mild mottle virus