Pocket BotanistGuide botanique
chili pepper.
Capsicum annuum var. annuum
Prononciation KAP-si-kum AN-yoo-um
Aussi appelée 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.
En un coup d'œil
- 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
Entretien
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
Signes qu'il faut rempoter
- Roots growing out of the bottom drainage holes.
- Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
- The plant stops growing despite regular feeding.
Sécurité
- 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.
Comment l'identifier
- 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
Problèmes courants
- 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.
La cultiver
- 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.
Bonnes associations
À éloigner de
- Fennel — Fennel can inhibit the growth of many garden vegetables.
Espèces similaires
- Habanero — These are much hotter peppers that require a longer growing season.
- Tomato — They share similar growing requirements and family traits.
Science
- 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
Au fil des saisons
Repères écologiques
- Salinity
- 2/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Light
- 8/9
- Temperature
- 8/9
- Moisture
- 5/9
- Nutrients
- 6/9
Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.
Ce qu'on demande souvent
- 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.
D'où vient le nom
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.
Bon à savoir
- 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.
Ton chili pepper a mauvaise mine ?
Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.
Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.