Ghost Pepper Plant: How to Grow Ghost Peppers

The ghost pepper plant (Indian name bhut jolokia; scientific name Capsicum chinense) is a chili pepper plant that produces some of the hottest peppers in the world, ranked at over one million Scoville heat units (SHU). Popular in hot sauce recipes and spicy dishes, the peppers are typically teardrop-shaped, slightly wrinkly, and red or orange, though there are also white, brown, purple, and peach ghost peppers. The plant itself produces green, leafy foliage and can reach a height of up to four feet.

Native to India, the ghost chili pepper likes high heat (at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit), high humidity, and a long growing season (between four and six months). If your area doesn’t have these conditions, consider growing your ghost peppers indoors in a greenhouse or as a houseplant near a sunny windowsill supplemented with a grow light.

Chili peppers are spicy due to the presence of a substance called capsaicin, which determines the heat level of the fruits. Other super-hot pepper varieties include habanero peppers and Carolina reaper peppers (considered the world’s hottest pepper). Less hot peppers include jalapeño peppers and poblano peppers. One of the mildest peppers is a bell pepper.

Growing ghost pepper plants can be a relatively simple process.

1. 1. Start the seeds indoors. To get a head start on the long growing season, start ghost pepper seeds (whether from a garden center or your own plants) indoors between eight to ten weeks before the last frost date in your area. Plant each seed one-quarter-inch deep and three inches apart in the potting mix.
2. 2. Keep the soil warm and moist. Water the potting soil so that it is evenly moist as the seeds begin to sprout and keep the soil temperature at least seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit. Germination can take around thirty days, depending on the variety—for example, red ghost peppers take around twenty days, while chocolate ghost peppers can take up to forty days.
3. 3. Prepare the planting site. Choose a spot outside that receives full sun (at least eight hours of direct sunlight per day) and prepare the bed with well-draining, loamy soil rich in organic matter.
4. 4. Transplant the seedlings. Once your ghost pepper seedlings are at least six inches tall, you should be able to transplant them into your outdoor garden bed.

Ghost peppers require care similar to that of other hot pepper plants or vegetable plants.

1. 1. Water regularly. Ghost peppers are not drought-tolerant, so you should keep the soil moist to help the plants thrive. On the other hand, try to avoid drenching the soil or making it overly soggy, as this can lead to root rot.
2. 2. Fertilize well. To get the best crop of ghost peppers, fertilize your ghost pepper plants regularly throughout the growing season, following the package recommendations. Ghost peppers aren’t picky about fertilizers, but you should avoid one with high nitrogen since this might encourage the plants to grow more green foliage and fewer peppers.
3. 3. Keep an eye out for pests. Ghost pepper plants can be targets for many common garden pests, like thrips, aphids, spider mites, slugs, and flea beetles. Control them early with sharp jets of water or a natural insecticide like neem oil. Mulch around the plants to prevent weeds and retain soil moisture.

A mature and healthy ghost pepper plant can produce up to one hundred peppers in a growing season. Here’s how to harvest the peppers:

1. 1. Look for ripe peppers. Ghost peppers are ready to pick when they transition from green to their mature color—typically around five months after you plant them.
2. 2. Pick the peppers. Wear a sturdy pair of gloves to avoid skin irritation and pluck the ripe peppers from the plant.
3. 3. Store the peppers. Ghost peppers can sit out on the counter or in the refrigerator for several days before becoming mushy. If you don’t plan to eat them soon, store the peppers in an airtight container in the freezer until you’re ready. Alternatively, you can dry peppers. Be sure to wear gloves whenever you handle your ghost peppers—ghost peppers are high on the Scoville scale (a scale that measures the heat level of peppers) and can cause skin irritation with direct contact.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.