Dragon Cayenne Pepper Seeds

Capsicum annuum Dragon Cayenne Pepper

Capsicum annuum Dragon Cayenne Pepper is a powerhouse hybrid variety, celebrated for its compact habit and explosive production of fiery red pods. Growing to about 24 to 30 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches, this variety is perfect for home vegetable gardens, patio containers, and spicy borders where space is limited but high yield is required. Unlike standard heritage cayenne varieties, Dragon Cayenne is bred for earliness and significantly higher heat, bridging the gap between decorative ornamental peppers and culinary staples while providing a continuous harvest of intense spice.

Culinary and Practical Uses

• The slender, thin-walled pods are approximately five times hotter than a Jalapeño (30,000–50,000 SHU), adding a serious kick to stir-fries, curries, and vinegar-based hot sauces.
• Their thin skin makes them the ultimate choice for drying; whole pods dry quickly on the vine or a windowsill and are easily crushed into premium homemade red pepper flakes or chili powder.
• Harvested green or red, they are essential for Thai and Sichuan dishes where heat and fresh pepper flavor are required in equal measure.

Characteristics

• Foliage/Fruit: Dense canopy of green leaves that supports hundreds of 3-to-4-inch fruits; pods start green and ripen to a brilliant, glossy red, often curling like a dragon's claw.
• Growth Habit: vigorous, well-branched, and compact; the sturdy stems support the heavy fruit load well, making it ideal for container gardening without requiring extensive trellising.
• Flowers: Produces small, white, star-shaped blossoms throughout the summer, which are self-pollinating and set fruit rapidly even in warm nights.
• Seeds: Harvested after the fruit fully ripens to red and dries; while the seeds are edible and spicy, saving them is not recommended for replanting as this is a hybrid (F1) variety.

Growing Requirements

• Sun: Thrives in full sun; requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to maximize heat production and fruit set.
• Soil: Adapts to most soil types but prefers fertile, loamy, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Water: Requires moderate, consistent watering; allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings can stress the plant enough to increase the heat level of the peppers.
• Spacing: Plant transplants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and easy access for harvesting.
• Maintenance: Harvest frequently to encourage new flowers; feed with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer once flowering begins to support the massive yields.

Shipping Info

Dragon Cayenne Pepper seeds ship as fresh, high-quality, viable seeds that are carefully packaged for stability and protection from damage during transit. Prompt shipping supports reliable germination and seasonally appropriate planting.