Carolina Reaper Pepper

100 times hotter than a habanero, the Carolina Reaper is not for the faint of heart. Cultivated in South Carolina, this wicked looking pepper is a hybrid of the ghost pepper and jalapeño. A little bit of this pepper will go a long way, so season your dishes with caution.

Scoville scale rating:

• 1,400,000 to 2,200,000 SHU

Sun exposure:

• full sun

Soil pH:

• 6.5 to 7.0

Days to maturity:

• 95 to 100 days after planting out

Spacing:

• 18 inches apart; rows 2 to 3 feet apart

Height and spread:

• 48 inches tall; 24-inch spread

Moisture:

• 1 inch per week

Notes:

• use tomato cages or stakes to support plants
• prefers well-drained soil
• peppers grow to 2 to 3 inches
• good for drying, cooking, and sauces
• unless you live in the Deep South, start your seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before transplanting, which you should plan for two to three weeks after your expected last frost
• wear skin and eye protection when handling these peppers; they are extremely hot
• use ventilation when preparing, cooking, or drying these peppers
• if you plan to dry these peppers and grind them, be sure to wear gloves, goggles, and a well-fitting mask.

Have you ever tried growing Carolina Reaper peppers? Are there any challenges you face growing them? Please tell us your best tips for growing Carolina Reapers.