Pocket BotanistGuía de plantas
chili pepper.
Capsicum annuum var. annuum
Pronunciación KAP-si-kum AN-yoo-um
También se conoce como Capsicum annuum var. annuum, Cayenne Pepper, Jalapeno pepper, ancho, bell pepper, capiscum, capsicum pepper, cayenne
Chili peppers are vibrant, productive plants that bring a spicy kick to your garden and kitchen. They thrive in warm conditions and produce colorful fruits that ripen from green to shades of red, yellow, or orange. These plants are generally grown as annuals in most climates.
De un vistazo
- Care level
- Moderate
- Plant type
- Annual vegetable
- Light
- Full sun
- Indoor light
- direct
- Water
- Every 2 to 4 days
- Mature size
- 60 to 90 cm tall
- Growth rate
- fast
- Hardiness
- USDA 9 to 11
- Bloom time
- Mid spring to late summer
Cuidados
Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to encourage steady growth. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering or nutrient deficiencies. Ensure they receive plenty of sunlight to promote fruit production.
- Watering
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Feeding
- Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
- Pruning
- Pinch back the tips to encourage bushier growth and more fruit.
- Repotting
- Repot annually if growing in containers to refresh the soil.
- Soil
- Well-draining, fertile, loamy soil
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 6.8
- Temperature
- 15 to 32°C
- Humidity
- 40 to 60%
- Drought tolerance
- low
- Lifespan
- Annual, or short lived perennial in frost free zones.
- Deer and rabbits
- moderate
Señales de que necesita trasplante
- Roots growing out of the bottom drainage holes.
- Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
- The plant stops growing despite regular feeding.
Seguridad
- People
- The capsaicin in peppers can cause significant skin and eye irritation if handled without care.
- Pets
- Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation and discomfort if ingested by cats or dogs.
- Children
- Keep hot peppers away from small children as the capsaicin can cause intense pain if rubbed into eyes or skin.
- Contact allergens
- Handling hot peppers can cause a burning sensation on the skin due to capsaicin oil.
- Airborne allergens
- Inhaling dust from dried peppers or fumes from cooking can irritate the respiratory tract.
- Edibility
- Always wash peppers thoroughly to remove any potential pesticide residues before consumption.
Cómo identificarla
- Glossy, lance-shaped green leaves
- Small, star-shaped white flowers
- Pendent or upright colorful fruit
- Woody stems as plant matures
- Height
- 0.3 to 1m
- Spread
- 0.3 to 0.6m
- Leaves
- green, deciduous
- Flowers
- white, 1 to 2cm
- Fruit
- red, yellow, orange, green, Summer to autumn
Problemas frecuentes
- Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.
- Blossom End Rot — A dark, sunken spot on the bottom of the fruit caused by calcium deficiency or uneven watering.
- Bacterial Spot — Causes small, dark, water soaked spots on leaves and fruit.
Cómo cultivarla
- Propagation
- seed
- When to plant
- spring
- Overwintering
- Bring containers indoors before the first frost and place them in a sunny window. Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy during the winter months.
- In containers
- Peppers grow very well in containers, provided you use a pot at least 12 inches wide with drainage holes.
Seed Starting
- Sow seeds in a seed starting mix 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost.
- Keep the soil warm and moist until germination occurs.
- Provide bright light once seedlings emerge.
- Transplant outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed.
Planting aromatic herbs nearby can help mask the scent of peppers from hungry pests.
Buenas compañeras
Mantenla lejos de
- Fennel — Fennel can inhibit the growth of many garden vegetables.
Especies parecidas
- Habanero — These are much hotter peppers that require a longer growing season.
- Tomato — They share similar growing requirements and family traits.
Ciencia
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Capsicum
- Order
- Solanales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Native range
- Tropical Americas.
- Conservation
- This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.
Peppers thrive in warm, sunny environments and rely on bees for pollination to produce fruit.
- Value to wildlife
- nectar source
- Pollinators
- bees
- Uses
- culinary vegetable, ornamental plant, container gardening
A lo largo del año
Indicadores ecológicos
- Salinity
- 2/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Light
- 8/9
- Temperature
- 8/9
- Moisture
- 5/9
- Nutrients
- 6/9
Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.
Lo que más preguntan
- Why are my pepper plants not fruiting?
- Extreme temperatures or lack of pollinators can prevent fruit set.
- Can I grow peppers in pots?
- Yes, they thrive in containers with good drainage and plenty of sun.
De dónde viene el nombre
The genus name Capsicum likely comes from the Greek word kapto, meaning to bite, referring to the heat of the fruit. The species name annuum means annual, though they are often treated as short lived perennials in warm climates.
Bueno saberlo
- Peppers belong to the nightshade family along with tomatoes and potatoes.
- The heat level of peppers is measured on the Scoville scale.
- Peppers were first domesticated in Mexico thousands of years ago.
- Green peppers are simply unripe versions of red, yellow, or orange peppers.
¿Tu chili pepper tiene mal aspecto?
Esta página es una guía general. Pocket Botanist diagnostica problemas a partir de una foto de tu propia planta, calcula el riego según tu luz y tus condiciones, y te avisa cuando toca cuidarla.
Esta guía se ha generado con IA y se ha cotejado con la taxonomía de GBIF. Es información general, no asesoramiento botánico ni veterinario. Descubre cómo elaboramos estas guías.