Photo: Carlos Domínguez-RodríguezCC BY 4.0

1 named cultivar

‘Lemon Drop’Lemon Drop Pepper

fruit vegetable

Pepper

The Story

Plant Bio

Capsicum chinense is the pepper species behind habanero, scotch bonnet and the ghost and reaper types, an erect warm-season crop from Bolivia, Peru and northern Brazil reaching one to two and a half feet. Deep green crinkled ovate leaves cover the branching stems, and small white flowers with yellow-green spots precede the fruit.

Despite the name this species is from the Americas, not China — it was named from plants collected in the Caribbean. It contains the hottest peppers grown, and the capsaicin is concentrated in the white pith rather than the seeds, which is where most people think it lives. Birds are immune to capsaicin and spread the seed unharmed.

Uses & Benefits:

Glossy fruit in vivid orange, red and chocolate colours over deep green crinkled foliage.

The species behind habanero and scotch bonnet, with both fruity flavour and extreme heat.

Songbirds eat the fruit unharmed, being immune to capsaicin, and spread the seed.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Fruit Vegetable

Height

21 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate to high

Lifespan

Perennial grown as an annual

Native To

Bolivia, Peru and northern Brazil

Toxicity

Edible; capsaicin burns skin and eyes

Planting

How to Grow

Start seed indoors ten weeks before the last frost.
Germinate at 80F; this species is slow to sprout.
Plant out only once nights are reliably warm.
Give it full sun and freely drained soil.
Water evenly; drought stress makes fruit hotter but smaller.
Wear gloves when handling the ripe fruit.

Pro Tip

The heat sits in the white pith, not the seeds — removing the membrane does far more than deseeding ever will.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Start seed early with bottom heat 🌡️
Give it full sun and real warmth ☀️
Water evenly through fruiting 💧
Wear gloves when handling fruit 🧤

Don't

Plant out into cold soil ❌
Touch your eyes after handling fruit ❌
Expect fast germination ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Harvest
Sow

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Warm-season vegetable gardenContainers on a hot sunny patioOrnamental edible planting

Companion Plants

Basil Marigold Aubergine Bush Bean Oregano

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Pepper questions

What zones can Pepper grow in?

Pepper is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Pepper deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Pepper, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Pepper bloom?

Pepper typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Pepper need full sun?

Pepper does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Pepper drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Pepper handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.