hot pepper seeds for planting Charleston Hot Pepper Seeds

hot pepper seeds for planting Charleston Hot Pepper SeedsNon GMO Open Pollinated Charleston Hot Pepper Seeds You've never tasted anything like the Charleston Hot! Developed by USDA scientists at the Charleston lab in 1993, this hot pepper has gained popularity along with its counterpart, the Carolina Cayenne. With thin walls and moderately hot, measuring around 5,000 to 15,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), this pepper is the perfect addition to your pepper garden! Growing in an array of colors, this beauty

Non-GMO Open-Pollinated Charleston Hot Pepper Seeds

You've never tasted anything like the Charleston Hot! Developed by USDA scientists at the Charleston lab in 1993, this hot pepper has gained popularity along with its counterpart, the Carolina Cayenne. With thin walls and moderately hot, measuring around 5,000 to 15,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), this pepper is the perfect addition to your pepper garden! Growing in an array of colors, this beauty grows to 3" in length with a conical shape. Perfect enjoyed fresh, in hot sauce or cooked into your favorite meal for some extra heat!

We find Charleston Hot to be a vigorous and productive variety, well-suited for warm-season growing. Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost, providing consistent warmth (70–85°F) for strong germination. Transplant outdoors once all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures remain warm, spacing plants to allow for good airflow and healthy growth.

These peppers thrive in full sun and rich, well-draining soil, benefiting from regular watering and consistent feeding throughout the season. Plants grow upright and may benefit from light staking as fruit production increases. As fruits mature, they transition through a range of colors, with heat and flavor intensifying as they fully ripen.

Harvest can begin when peppers reach their desired size and color, whether picked earlier for milder heat or left to mature for a spicier kick. Frequent harvesting encourages continued production, making this a rewarding and abundant addition to the garden.

Seed Profile

• Open-Pollinated 

• Non-GMO

• Annual

• Sun: Full

• Indoors:  6 - 8 weeks before last frost

• Direct Sow: No 

• Seed Count: 25

• Days to Maturity: 70-85

• Plant Size: 22"-30"

Gardener Tips

Seeds should be planted indoors and kept in a dome with a heated mat for 4-8 weeks. 

It is key that your new starts be hardened off.  This is a process that requires taking them outside during the day, for a period of time, before they are planted. This acclimates your seedlings to the outside world, meaning the elements like the wind and sun. We do it for several weeks to a month as this strengthens their stems and overall plant structure. 

• Start for a short period of time initially, then graduate to more time each day

• One week minimum is recommended

• Bring them inside in the early evening and overnight

• Keep an eye on them and constantly water them. Make sure they have not blown over. 

Harvesting Tips

Charleston Hot peppers are ready to harvest around 75 to 80 days after transplanting, once they’ve reached full size and their color deepens from green to a rich, bright red. You can harvest them earlier for a slightly milder flavor or wait until they fully ripen for maximum heat and sweetness.

When harvesting, use clean, sharp garden shears or scissors to clip the peppers from the plant, leaving a short portion of the stem attached. This prevents tearing and keeps the plant healthy for continued production. Regular picking encourages the plant to produce more fruit throughout the season.

After harvesting, handle peppers gently to avoid bruising, and store them in a cool, dry place or the refrigerator. If you’d like to save seeds for next year, let a few peppers remain on the plant until they are fully mature and beginning to wrinkle. Remove the seeds, dry them thoroughly, and store them in a labeled paper envelope in a cool, dark place.