Carolina Reaper Pepper Plants
The Carolina Reaper is the hottest pepper you can grow at home, and one of our all-time best sellers at Cross Country Nurseries. Developed by Ed Currie of PuckerButt Pepper Company in South Carolina, the Reaper held the Guinness World Record for hottest pepper for nearly a decade and still tops out at an average of 1.6 million Scoville Heat Units with individual pods tested over 2.2 million SHU.
Beyond the extreme heat, the Carolina Reaper has a surprising fruity, slightly sweet flavor beneath the intense burn. The distinctive wrinkled skin and pointed "stinger" tail make it one of the most recognizable peppers in the world. Our Reaper plants are grown from verified seed stock at our nursery in Rosemont, New Jersey, where we've been growing chile plants since 1997.
The Reaper is a Capsicum chinense variety, closely related to the habanero family but bred for extreme heat. Pods ripen from green to a deep, vibrant red and are perfect for hot sauces, powders, dehydrating, and ultra-spicy dishes. A little goes a very long way.
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Growing Carolina Reaper Plants
| Heat Level | Super Hot (1,400,000 - 2,200,000+ SHU) |
| Species | Capsicum chinense |
| Pod Type | Habanero Elongated |
| Season | Late (90-100+ days to harvest) |
| Pod Color | Green to red |
| Plant Height | 3-4 feet |
Carolina Reapers need a long, warm growing season. In most of the US, start indoors or purchase live transplants to give plants a head start. They thrive in full sun with well-drained soil and consistent watering. Because chinense varieties are slow to mature, expect your first ripe pods 90-100+ days after transplanting.
Tips for success:
- Transplant outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F
- Space plants 18-24 inches apart in full sun
- Fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer once fruits begin to set
- Wear gloves when harvesting — the oils can cause serious skin burns
- Reapers produce well in containers (5-gallon minimum)
More Super Hot Peppers
If you love the Reaper, explore our full collection of super hot pepper plants:
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