- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
- Learn More
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 100 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Type: Over 1 Million Scoville Units, Chile Pepper (Learn more)
Native: Northeastern India
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive perennial grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 16"–48" tall, 24" wide
Variety Info: 2½"–3" long, 1" wide fruits that often have a bumpy texture and turn from green to orange-red or brilliant scarlet.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: For Mild Climates only: 2 to 4 weeks after average last frost, when soil temperature is at least 70°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°–90°F. Transplant seedlings outside 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when daytime temperatures are at least 70°F, and nighttime temperatures are at least 55°F. Mild Climates: May be sown in late summer for fall/winter crop.
Days to Emerge: 10–25 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: Start indoors
Row Spacing: 24"–36"
Thinning: Start indoors, plant seedlings 18" – 24" apart outside
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest when mature size, firm, and when peppers have turned orange/red. When harvesting, take care to avoid touching the interior of any broken peppers, as the capsaicin is an extreme irritant, especially to the eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after harvesting or wear gloves to harvest peppers.
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Pepper: Sow and Grow Guide- Hunter J.Rated 5 out of 5 stars4/16/255 Stars
Use a high quality seed starting mix and a heat mat and you should be successful! I didn’t have germination issues, so maybe it’s a batch issue? The flavor is great, and I made some fermented hot sauce from the 100+ fruit my plants gave me. I would grow these again!
- Maureen G.Rated 5 out of 5 stars4/14/255 Stars
I received these ghost peppers as part of a generous donation Botanical Gardens makes to our non-profit each year. 3 out of 4 seeds germinated and are doing fantastic so far.
BIBotanical Interests4/28/25Hey Maureen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts, and your beautiful photo, in a review. What a healthy plant. Keep on growing 🌻️
- David D.Rated 5 out of 5 stars4/19/255 Stars
Almost all seeds germinated and are still growing
- Cynthia C.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars9/23/241 Star
Seeds never sprouted
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - MartyRated 1 out of 5 stars6/28/241 Star
Like others I had very poor germination of Ghost peppers seeds this spring.
Unfortunately when I don't get plants it's not the $3 to $7 I spent on seeds that matters it's that I have most likely lost that crop for a whole year.
I've been gardening for about 55 years although I wasn't as fond of it in the earliest of years.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Expert