habanero pepper growth stages

Place your pots on a surface with a temperature between 20-25 degrees Celsius / 68 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit for successful germination.

Placing pots on a refrigerator or other kitchen appliance that generates heat can work. Another option is to buy a heating mat from an online retailer.

Plant Growth

Seedlings can be transferred to your outdoor garden when they have at least six leaves. Wait at least two weeks after the last frost date before moving them outside. If it was a cooler than average spring, keep them indoors until daytime temperatures reach at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

For best results, prepare the soil with an initial fertilizer and make sure it has a pH level of 6 – 6.5. It is also a good idea to space the seedlings 18 – 24 inches apart to allow plenty of room.

How To Know When Habanero Peppers Are Ripe

Habanero peppers are ripe when they are about 2 inches long and emerald green. Ripe cherries will usually turn from green to orange or red. Or if you grew them from seed, they will eventually change the color specified on the seed packet.

It is worth noting that red cultivars progress from green to orange and then red.

How to Keep a Habanero Plant Healthy

The most important care tip for habaneros is to make sure they don’t get too much water. Overwatering can lead to blossom end rot and other fungal diseases. Make sure to water the plants infrequently but deeply. Wait to water habaneros until the soil around them is completely dry.

If the ends of the peppers start to rot, the plant is suffering from blossom end rot. This disease is caused by a calcium deficiency and can be treated by limiting the amount of overhead water you give the plant. To combat the rot, water deeply – not from above – during the flowering period. It is best to avoid overhead water in the first place, no matter the circumstances. Although habaneros are not particularly susceptible to fungal infections, they can become prey, so avoiding overhead watering can help your plants avoid fungus.

Some Different Choices of Habanero Peppers…

• Looking for the classic Habanero? Grow these bad boys
• Looking for more heat? Grow the Red Savina Habanero
• Looking for an interesting color? Try growing the Chocolate Habanero
• Are you looking for something unique? Check out the huge Habanero selection at Semillas.de

The main takeaway here should be that there are many different types of habanero peppers. It can be fun to experiment with different varieties and watch them change color and shape as they grow.