Pepper Seeds - Hot - Japanese Santaka
70-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Santaka Japanese Hot Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, deer-resistant, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 40,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Santaka is a Japanese hot pepper that is from the Tochigi prefecture. The variety was released in 1955. It is spicy, has good uniformity, and has incredibly high yields. Easy to harvest and dry peppers. It is also known as Japones, Hontaka, Japanese Chili, Oriental Chili. If you're seeking a pepper that combines ornamental beauty with culinary versatility, the Santaka Japanese Hot Pepper is an excellent choice.~7,500 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Santaka Japanese Hot Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Start seeds inside 6 weeks before the last frost date (or 8 weeks before the expected transplanting date). Keep the soil warm until emergence. Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep in a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix. Seeds will not germinate in cool soil, and planting out too early may affect plant vigor. Harden off plants carefully before transplanting. Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. Transplant in late spring/early summer in a very warm and sunny location (soil temperatures at least above 60 F). Space them 18-24 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist, watering deeply when the top inch feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as peppers are susceptible to root rot. Once plants are established, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks to encourage fruit development without excessive foliage growth. Too much nitrogen will produce lush foliage and few fruits. Regularly remove any yellowing or diseased leaves to promote air circulation and reduce disease risk. Santaka plants may benefit from staking to support the weight of the fruit and prevent branches from breaking.
Harvesting Santaka Japanese Hot Peppers
The fruits reach maturity when they turn a vibrant red color and are about 2.5 to 3 inches long. Use scissors or pruning shears to cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a small stem attached to prolong shelf life. Given their hot nature, it's recommended to wear gloves during harvest to prevent skin irritation.
About Santaka Japanese Hot Pepper Garden Seeds
The Santaka Japanese hot pepper is a fiery and ornamental variety that hails from Japan's Tochigi Prefecture. Introduced in 1955, this heirloom pepper is known for its upright-growing, cone-shaped fruits that mature from green to bright red.
Santaka peppers are a staple in Asian cuisines, particularly in Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian dishes. Their intense heat and minimal flavor complexity make them ideal for adding spice without altering the dish's overall flavor profile.
The introduction of this pepper significantly boosted the local chili pepper farming industry, making Ohtawara the leading producer of chili peppers in Japan by 1963. The variety was bred for its uniformity, high yield, and intense heat.
Its manageable size makes it perfect for container gardening. Be sure to use a container that can hold at least 5 gallons of soil per plant and has good drainage.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"When choosing an ornamental pepper for your garden, I love suggesting Marisol-type peppers. These are ones like Santaka Japanese peppers that grow upright in a very unique way. Santaka plants are also quite full and bushy, so they are perfect for patio designs!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Santaka Japanese Hot Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 500 mg - Wholesale - Approximately 130 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 7,500 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 30,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 120,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Santaka Japanese Hot Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
=======Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Capsicum annuum |
| Pepper Type: | Hot - These peppers all have some heat and usually rank at least 100, but usually 500 or more on the Scoville scale and have heat ranging from mild to extremely hot. Ornamental - These are usually used as ornamental yard or house plants and are almost all container growable. These peppers are also edible but usually range from 30,000 on the Scoville Scale and up. They are mostly grown as ornamentals. Some sweet and hot peppers are also grown as ornamentals but are grown primarily for culinary use. Example: Numex Twilight is a hot pepper but is sometimes grown as an ornamental. |
| Santaka Pepper Color: | Red |
| Santaka Pepper Flavor: | Intense, straightforward heat with minimal complexity. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11. |
| Days to Maturity: | 70-80 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12-24 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 30-36 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range. |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers. |
| Pepper Pollination: | Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production. |
| Plant Width: | 18-24 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | Yes |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 40,000 to 50,000 |
| Heat Level: | Hot - 30,000 to 100,000 on the Scoville Scale. Example Cayenne & Tabasco. |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 76 to 90 days from transplant. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Pepper Use: | Ideal for stir-fries, soups, hot sauces, and salsas. Commonly used in Japanese, Chinese (especially Szechuan and Hunan), and Southeast Asian cuisines. Also excellent when dried and ground into chili powder. |
| Climate Tolerance: |