How to Grow Cayenne Peppers - The Complete Guide

Cayenne peppers are a rewarding vegetable to grow at home and an excellent addition to any garden. Below we share the basics of growing cayenne peppers in a home garden, as well as common mistakes and considerations.

When to Plant Cayenne Peppers

Cayenne peppers are not a frost tolerant vegetable. This means the best time to plant them is mid to late spring, once there is no longer a chance of frost in your area.

If you live in the U.S., check out the Farmer’s Almanac or the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zones for more help regarding frost and the best dates for planting in your area.

How to Plant Cayenne Peppers

Plant your cayenne pepper seeds directly in the soil of your garden or container at a depth of 0.5 inches (1 centimetre). Seeds can be planted outside or you can germinate them indoors and transplant them later. Typically, cayenne pepper seeds take about 1 - 2 weeks to fully germinate.

If transplanting, the best time to move cayenne pepper plants outside is when they reach 3 - 4 inches (7 - 10 centimetres) tall or have at least 3 - 4 true leaves.

When planting cayenne peppers in the garden, it’s best to space them 1 - 2 feet (30 - 60 centimetres) away from the nearest plant.

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How to Grow Cayenne Peppers in Pots

The key to caring for cayenne peppers in containers is well draining soil and a pot big enough for their root system. Aim for a pot that is roughly 577 cubic inches (9,455 cubic centimetres) in size. A typical 10 or 12 inch flower pot is a great container option for cayenne peppers.

For more in depth information, check out our full guide on growing cayenne peppers in containers.

How Long do Cayenne Peppers Take to Grow

On average, it takes about 80 - 90 days for planted cayenne pepper seeds to develop into a fully mature plant.

How Big do Cayenne Peppers Get

Typically, cayenne pepper plants reach about 1 - 2 feet (or 30 - 60 centimetres) in height. Though this can fluctuate depending on the variety.

How Much Sunlight do Cayenne Peppers Need

Cayenne peppers need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day in order to thrive. Be careful to place your plants in an area that receives adequate sunlight. Otherwise, they may not mature properly.

How Much Water do Cayenne Peppers Need

Cayenne peppers like well draining soil that is kept consistently moist, but not wet or soggy. The amount of water it takes to achieve this effect will differ depending on the type of soil available to you.

Be sure to water your cayenne peppers on a consistent, steady schedule. This will ensure the plant yields a healthy, uniform crop.

If growing your cayenne peppers in pots, they will need to be watered more frequently than cayenne peppers planted directly in the garden.

You will know your cayenne peppers are in need of more water when their leaves wilt, yellow, and/or the plant begins to droop. But be careful, this can also happen if the plant receives too much water. This is a difficult balance for most novice gardeners. But the more time you spend with your cayenne peppers, the better you’ll be able to gauge how thirsty they are.

How to Harvest Cayenne Peppers

Cayenne peppers are ready to pick when they turn a deep red color. Leaving a short bit of stem attached, cut the pepper from the plant with a sharp knife or scissors. Be careful to avoid pulling them by hand, as this can cause branches to break.