Carolina Reaper

Carolina Reaper is widely recognized as one of the hottest peppers in the world, combining extreme heat with a surprisingly sweet, fruity undertone. This variety is intended for experienced growers and serious heat enthusiasts only.

Plants are vigorous and highly productive, producing distinctive wrinkled, bumpy peppers with a pronounced pointed “stinger” tail that ripen from green to bright red.

Heat Level

Extreme (super-hot)
1,600,000–2,200,000 Scoville Heat Units

Plant Details

Botanical name: Capsicum chinense
Growth habit: Upright and bushy
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 45–60 cm (18–24")
Container friendly: Yes; performs well in large containers
Support: Recommended as plants become heavily loaded with fruit

Fruit and Harvest

Carolina Reaper produces small, thin-walled peppers with intense heat and a complex, fruity aroma. Harvest when fully red and firm for maximum heat and flavour. Regular harvesting encourages continued production.

Gloves are strongly recommended when harvesting and handling; avoid contact with skin and eyes.

Excellent for:

• Extreme-heat hot sauces
• Small-batch chili pastes
• Drying and grinding into powder
• Fermenting (use sparingly)

Why Buy a Starter Plant?

Super-hot peppers have slow germination and long growing seasons. Starting with an established plant provides:

• Faster establishment
• Earlier harvest in cooler climates
• Reliable production compared to direct seeding

Grown With Care

Our starter plants are grown without chemical pesticides and gradually hardened for outdoor growing, ensuring strong, healthy plants ready for transplanting once soil temperatures are consistently warm.

Well suited for: experienced gardeners, hot sauce makers, chili enthusiasts, and anyone looking to grow one of the hottest peppers in the world.