Pepper Seeds - Hot - Thai Hot
80-89 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Thai Hot Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, high-yielding, hot pepper with hot heat levels. 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Sometimes known as "Bird's Eye Chili" throughout the pepper world, Thai hot peppers are one of the most diverse, easily recognizable varieties. Nearly 80 different types of Thai pepper, the hot Thai is about 10x hotter than a jalapeno, yet far milder than the infamous habanero or Carolina reaper. Turns orange, purple, and red when ready to harvest. ~4000 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Thai Hot Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Begin by sowing Thai Hot pepper seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your region's last expected frost date. Plant the seeds 0.25 inch deep in a well-draining seed-starting mix. Maintain a consistent soil temperature between 80-85 F to encourage germination. Once true leaves appear, fertilize with a low-strength liquid feed. Approximately two weeks before transplanting outdoors, start the hardening-off process. Gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for increasing periods each day, starting with one hour and adding an hour daily. This acclimates the plants to external conditions, reducing transplant shock.
Once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 55 F and daytime temperatures are at least 70 F, transplant the seedlings outdoors. Choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil, ideally sandy loam with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Space the plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart to ensure adequate air circulation.
Thai Hot peppers prefer consistent moisture. Water the plants deeply every 2–3 days, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure the soil drains well. Apply a balanced fertilizer (5-10-10 NPK) about a month after transplanting. Reapply when the plants begin to set fruit, and consider using a fertilizer containing calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
Harvesting Thai Hot Peppers
These peppers can be harvested at any stage, but have their fullest and spiciest flavor when bright red. Use scissors or pruning shears to cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a small portion of the stem attached. This method reduces damage to the plant and encourages continued fruit production.
About Thai Hot Pepper Garden Seeds
Widely used in Thai cuisine, they add heat to curries, stir-fries, sauces, and pickled dishes. They can be used fresh or dried, and are also popular in making chili pastes and infused oils.
Thai Hot peppers, also known as Bird's Eye chilies, originated in Central and South America and were introduced to Southeast Asia by Portuguese traders in the 16th century. They have since become integral to Thai cuisine and culture, valued for their heat and flavor.
Not only are they super hot, but they can be used for ornamental purposes as well. Grow these peppers in the garden, in pots, or even in window boxes. These do so well in southern gardens because of the hot and humid conditions.
Also known as Thai Dragon Pepper, Thai Hot pepper plants are perfect for containers. Be sure to use containers that are at least 2-3 gallons in size and at least 12 inches wide with good drainage.
If you're growing Thai Peppers, you must like your food hot! Here's a hot sauce recipe to use with your hot peppers. Roast 4 cups of Thai Chiles and a clove of garlic in the oven. Add roasted peppers, garlic, a cup of water, a cup of vinegar, and a tablespoon of sugar to a blender. Blend until smooth.
Stories From Our Gardeners
"Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines. It is even more interesting to me to learn that one of their most pivotal ingredients (the Thai pepper) is originally from the Americas! How cool!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Thai Hot Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 500 mg Packet - Approximately 70 Seeds
- 0.25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,000 Seeds
- 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 4,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 16,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 64,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Thai 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. |
| Thai Hot Pepper Color: | Green (turns bright orange, purple, and red when ready to harvest) |
| Thai Hot Pepper Flavor: | Fruity and earthy with a pronounced spiciness. |
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: | 80-89 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12-18 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18-36 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: | 12-18 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | Yes |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 50,000 to 100,000 |
| Heat Level: | Hot - 30,000 to 100,000 on the Scoville Scale. Example Cayenne & Tabasco. |
| 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: | Thai curry, stir fry, sauce, mainades, pickling, hot sauce, chili flakes, powders, infused oils, etc. |
| Climate Tolerance: |