Purple Hot Pepper

10 Seeds

Purple Hot Pepper, a slender ornamental chili that produces glossy deep-purple fruits that gradually ripen to bright red. It is moderately to very hot and thrives in the Gulf climate when grown during the cooler months. It is well suited for gardens, containers, hydroponic systems, and greenhouses.

Best Planting Time

• August to October (recommended)
• January to February (protected cultivation)
• Avoid planting outdoors during periods when daytime temperatures remain above 40°C.

Seed Preparation

• Soak seeds in warm water (25–30°C) for 8–12 hours before sowing.
• Optional: soak in diluted seaweed extract or chamomile tea to improve germination.
• No cold stratification is required.

Soil Preparation

Use fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Coco peat
• 30% Compost
• 20% Garden soil
• 10% Perlite

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–6.8

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds in seed trays or nursery pots.
• Plant seeds 0.5–1 cm deep.
• Cover lightly with fine soil or vermiculite.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 25–30°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 22–32°C
• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• During Gulf summers, provide 30–40% shade cloth in the afternoon.

Watering

• Keep the growing medium evenly moist during germination.
• Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Avoid overwatering and poor drainage.

Germination Time

• 7–14 days
• Occasionally up to 21 days under cooler conditions.

Transplanting

• Transplant when seedlings have:
  • 4–6 true leaves
  • Height of 15–20 cm
• Space plants:
  • 40–50 cm apart
• Row spacing:
  • 60–75 cm

Harvesting

• Harvest begins:
  • 75–90 days after transplanting
• Pick fruits while deep purple for ornamental use or allow them to ripen red for a sweeter flavor.
• Frequent harvesting encourages continuous production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant from August through October for the best yields.
• Apply organic mulch to reduce soil temperature.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
• During flowering and fruiting, switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium.
• Protect plants from hot desert winds.
• Performs exceptionally well in hydroponic systems with good ventilation.