Grown Ghost Pepper 'Bhut Jolokia'?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Ghost Pepper 'Bhut Jolokia' — Peppers

100-120days to harvest

14-28days to germinate

Z10–11USDA zones

Difficultdifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Requires warm soil (80-90°F) for germination. Use heating mat and be patient with slow germination.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with high organic content
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8
Spacing: 24-36 inches
Height: 12-30 inches
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Green ripening to orange-red
Size: 2-3 inches long, 1 inch wide
Shape: Wrinkled, pendant, lantern-shaped with pointed tip
Flavour: Extreme heat (1,000,000+ Scoville), fruity, smoky undertones with delayed burn

In the kitchen

Hot sauces, extreme heat cooking, drying for powder. Use extreme caution - wear gloves!

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, thrips, spider mites, whiteflies
Diseases: Bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, powdery mildew
Resistance: Moderate resistance to common pepper diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	April – May	June – July	—	October – September
3	April	June – July	—	October
4	March – April	June	—	September – October
5	March	May – June	—	September – October
6	March	May – June	—	September – November
7	February – March	April – May	—	August – October
8	February	April – May	—	August – October
9	January	March – April	—	July – September
10	January	February – March	—	June – August
11	January	January – February	—	May – July
12	January	January – February	—	May – July
13	January	January – February	—	May – July

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially enhancing pepper flavor

MarigoldsRepel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent

OreganoDeters pests like aphids and spider mites while attracting beneficial insects

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

CarrotsHelp break up soil and don't compete for nutrients, good ground cover

OnionsRepel aphids, thrips, and other pests with their sulfur compounds

NasturtiumsAct as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracting them away from peppers

SpinachProvides living mulch and cool-season companion that doesn't compete for space

Avoid

FennelProduces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of peppers and most vegetables

BrassicasCompete heavily for nutrients and can stunt pepper growth

Black WalnutProduces juglone, a toxic compound that causes wilting and death in peppers

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 1.66
Fat (g): 0.45
Carbohydrate (g): 5.35
Fibre (g): 3.4
Sugars (g): 1.95
Vitamin A (µg): 17
Vitamin C (mg): 82.7
Vitamin E (mg): 0.69
Vitamin K (µg): 9.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.357
Folate (µg): 29
Calcium (mg): 14
Iron (mg): 0.46
Magnesium (mg): 17
Phosphorus (mg): 32
Potassium (mg): 256
Zinc (mg): 0.25
Selenium (µg): 0.3

← PreviousAnaheim 'New Mexico Big Jim' Next →Sweet Pepper 'California Wonder'

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the peppers growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Ghost Pepper 'Bhut Jolokia'?

Similar varieties