Jamaican Hot Chocolate
Capsicum chinense
Fruits avg. 2 3/4" x 1 1/2" and are very hot. Much earlier, higher yielding, and with bigger fruits than the standard OP habanero. Good yield potential, even in northern and short-season regions. Medium-large upright plants.
Harvest
90-100 daysd
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
12-30 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Jamaican Hot Chocolate in USDA Zone 10
All Zone 10 tropical →Zone Map
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Jamaican Hot Chocolate · 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
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, adds nitrogen to soil
Cilantro
Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps
Chives
Repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects with sulfur compounds
Catnip
Strongly repels aphids, ants, and flea beetles
Borage
Improves growth and flavor while deterring hornworms and cabbage worms
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and thrips while attracting beneficial pollinators
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Oregano
Repels spider mites and aphids while improving overall plant health
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill pepper plants
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of most vegetables
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169910)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Pepper Mottle Virus (Intermediate); Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (Intermediate)
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, hornworms
Diseases
Bacterial spot, anthracnose, mosaic virus, blossom end rot