Scotch Bonnet Red Chilli Seeds – “Capsicum chinense”

🌶️ Scotch Bonnet Red – Caribbean heat with tropical flair!
Don’t be fooled by its cute name and lantern-like shape — the Scotch Bonnet chilli brings serious heat with a bold, fruity kick! Popular in Caribbean cuisine, it’s the pepper behind fiery jerk marinades, pepper sauces, and island-style stews. The Red Scotch Bonnet adds eye-catching colour and that signature tropical heat — ranging from 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units — with a rich, fruity flavour unlike any other.

🌱 How to Grow:

Sowing Time:
Spring to early summer (September–December) — chillies need heat and a long growing season. Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost.

Germination:
10–28 days at 24–30°C
Warmth and consistency are key! Use a heat mat or warm window to encourage even germination.
Sow 0.5 cm deep and mist lightly to keep soil just moist.

Transplanting:
Once seedlings have 4–6 true leaves and night temps stay above 12°C, transplant into the garden or pots. Harden off before moving them outdoors.

🌞 Position:

Full sun — Scotch Bonnets thrive in bright, hot conditions.
Minimum 6–8 hours of sunlight per day.

🪨 Soil:

Well-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost or aged manure.
pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–6.8)
Mulch helps retain warmth and moisture.

💧 Watering:

Moderate and consistent — water when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry.
Avoid waterlogging, especially in containers.
Reduce watering slightly as fruits begin to ripen for more concentrated flavour.

🌼 Harvest Time:

90–120 days from sowing
Fruits start green and ripen to a vibrant red, with a wrinkled, bonnet-like shape.
Pick when fully coloured for peak heat and flavour. Always harvest with gloves!

📏 Height & Spread:

60–100 cm tall
50–70 cm wide
Compact, bushy plants — great for beds or large containers.

🌿 Top Tips:

✔️ Feed monthly with a balanced or potassium-rich fertiliser
✔️ Prune lightly to encourage bushier growth and airflow
✔️ Stake if plants get top-heavy with fruit
✔️ Handle with gloves — Scotch Bonnets may look friendly, but they pack a punch!
✔️ Ideal for hot sauces, chilli jams, and Caribbean cooking

🐝 Pollinator Friendly:

Delicate white flowers attract bees and pollinators — which means more fruit and a healthy garden buzz.

🔥 Why Grow Scotch Bonnet Red?

✔️ Classic Caribbean flavour with real fire
✔️ A must-have for hot sauce lovers and spice adventurers
✔️ Compact, ornamental plants with big personality
✔️ Delicious fruity heat – perfect for jerk marinades, salsas, and ferments
✔️ Grows well in beds, pots, and sunny patios

⚠️ HANDLE WITH CARE:
Use gloves when harvesting or processing. Even one pod can pack a serious wallop!

Bring the taste of the tropics to your garden with the bold heat and fruity fire of the legendary Scotch Bonnet Red! 🌶️🔥🏝️