Grown Habanero 'Caribbean Red'?

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Habanero 'Caribbean Red' — Peppers

90-100days to harvest

14-21days to germinate

Z10–11USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Requires warm soil (80°F+) for germination. Transplant after soil warms to 70°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, avoid overwatering
Soil: Well-drained, sandy loam with good drainage
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 12-30 inches
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Bright red when mature
Size: 1-2 inches long, 1 inch wide
Shape: Lantern or bonnet-shaped, wrinkled
Flavour: Extremely hot with fruity, citrusy undertones and floral notes

In the kitchen

Hot sauces, salsas, Caribbean dishes, marinades, dried and ground for spice powder

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, spider mites, thrips, pepper weevil
Diseases: Bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, pepper mild mottle virus
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	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	September – October
5	March	May – June	—	September – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	August – October
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
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

MarigoldDeters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds

OreganoRepels aphids and provides ground cover while attracting beneficial insects

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pests

CarrotsHelps break up soil for better root development and doesn't compete for nutrients

TomatoesShare similar growing conditions and can benefit from same companion plants

ChivesRepels aphids and improves soil health while taking up minimal space

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from peppers

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that inhibits pepper growth and can cause plant death

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that stunt pepper growth and development

BrassicasCompete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition

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

← PreviousBell Pepper 'Rainbow Bell' Next →Jalapeño 'Gigante'

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 Habanero 'Caribbean Red'?

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