Are you ready to cultivate your own habanero peppers? Well, if you really enjoy spicy food, then growing and planting habanero peppers is something you will certainly want to consider.
The peppers are ranked between 100,000 and 450,000 on the Scoville scale which measures the amount of spice, capsaicin, contained in peppers. Habaneros are categorized as one of the hottest chili peppers as they not only add spice but also color since they can be red or green.
Habaneros are capable of outgrowing many varieties of chili peppers such as jalapenos and cayenne, but as seedlings they tend to be quite temperamental. But don’t worry—these plants are perennials so once they mature, they’ll keep producing for years. This is how to take care of pepper plants of the species habanero.
How to Get Habanero Peppers Started
Unfortunately, most of the United States does not have the right climate for growing habaneros year long, however, most plants will need to be started indoors as seeds. Meeting the right indoor temperature and light requirements for seedlings can be a challenge. However, once the environment is set up correctly these peppers will flourish.
If you’re starting your seedlings indoors, remember to plant the seeds within six to ten weeks prior to the last frost date in your region. Ensure the developing plants are located where there is ample sunlight available. If using artificial lighting, the peppers will require a minimum of 16 hours of light each day.
The container with seedlings needs to have proper drainage. If a habenero plant is overwatered, not only will it negatively affect the plant, but it will also change the taste of any peppers the plant will yield.
Peppers produced by overly watered plants are generally too bitter. It is important to water only when the soil for the seedlings is dry. The seedlings will need a couple of transplants. When the plants have 6 to 8 leaves, they can be removed and relocated to larger containers.
After the last frost date, seedlings should gradually acclimatize to the environment outside before being exposed fully to it. For the first day, the seedlings should spend only one hour in the sun. Each day after that, gradually extend the duration the plants stay outdoors.
Once the plants are at the point where they can spend most of their time outside, an area with strong morning sunlight and slightly acidic soil can be used. The transplanted peppers should go 18 inches apart, and black plastic mulch should be cut with holes to wrap around the plants. This will also help compete with weeds while preserving warmth in the soil around the plants.
If the plants are bought fully grown instead of cultivated from seedlings, the steps for planting them into garden beds is the same.
For habanero plants, regardless of their origin, it is critical to not plant them outdoors until all chances of frost have passed. A Frost will severely impact a weak habanero plant that has not established roots. These plants enjoy warmer climates.
How to Keep a Habanero Plant Healthy
The most critical care recommendation for habaneros is restricting watering to essential levels. Overwatering can result in blossom end rot, other types of rot, and various types of fungal infections.
Watering should be done thoroughly but rarely. Do not water until the soil surrounding the plants is completely dry.
If the ends of the peppers begin to rot, the plant is suffering from blossom end rot. This ailment is caused by lack of calcium in the plant and can be remedied by reducing overhead watering.
During the blooming period, rot can be countered by not watering from above but rather from below the surface. It would be wise to eliminate overhead watering entirely.
While not extremely vulnerable to fungal infections, habanero plants can contract them, so eliminating overhead watering may help prevent fungal infections.
Like other peppers, Habaneros enjoy warm temperatures and ample sunshine, but can be prone to sunscald. Peppers splitting is one symptom of sunscald. Most of the time, a plant’s leaves will shield it from excess sunlight, but warmer temperatures expose them to strappy light.
The fruit’s cracking may let bacteria or fungus penetrate the pepper. In such scenarios, preemptive removal is best before the peppers soften and become unusable. If you are unsure, err on the side of caution and discard any peppers that raise concerns.
Habanero plants are not known for having issues producing a good yield, so not being able to harvest should not be a significant concern. If the peppers are suffering from sunscald, row covers can help mitigate excessive sunlight reaching the plant.
As far as habaneros are concerned, there are no known pests, however, all gardeners should be on the lookout for pest issues. If problems arise with some pesky critters, a good blast of water from a hose will usually get rid of them. If undue stress from pests is especially concerning, a mild insecticidal soup can safely be applied.
From 6 weeks onward, habaneros will require some fertilizer. They will benefit from 0.25 lbs split between four doses, giving each plant a dose every two weeks. Fertilizer should be applied starting from a six inch radius from the plants, which should also be gradually incorporated into the soil.
What to Do With a Producing Habanero Plant
The color of habanero fruits doesn’t determine when they can be harvested. Having a green color means the peppers won’t be as spicy. However, waiting until later in the season, when plants are red or orange, guarantees spicier output. Allowing the fruits to fully mature permits accumulation of spiciness.
While it is best to collect all peppers before cooler temperatures set in, the fruits are nutritious regardless of color at harvest.
If not processed by halving and drying, these peppers can be kept for a maximum of three weeks in a cool and dry place. Other methods like roasting, pickling or freezing are also helpful to gain long-term storage.
Like all members of the chili family, habaneros can be creatively employed in the culinary art, therefore making them a gardener’s and chef’s delight.
Although the cultivation of the Habanero pepper plant is challenging, the outcome is remarkably rewarding. While these plants require some attention, they are easy to maintain, and when cared for properly they can enhance the aesthetics of any garden.
Though these plants are relatively resistant to insects and pests, they are prone to easily-controlled problems like blossom end rot or sunscalding. In case you have uncertainty about the suitability of your area for growing habaneros, you can always reach out to local nurseries or gardening shops, as they will have the information that this article might have missed.