How to Grow Rocoto Chillies from Seed
A UK guide to Capsicum pubescens, the chilli of the high Andes. Hairy leaves, purple flowers, black seeds and juicy, thick-walled pods, from the most cold-tolerant chilli there is.
Capsicum pubescens, the rocoto, is quite unlike any other chilli you will grow. It evolved in the cool air of the high Andes and carries signatures you cannot mistake: soft, downy leaves, purple flowers and jet-black seeds. Grow one and you will recognise the species for life.
It also grows differently. Rocotos dislike the heat that habaneros crave, need a long season to ripen, and often do their best work in their second and third years. Grown with that in mind, they are among the most rewarding chillies for a British greenhouse.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Species
Capsicum pubescens
Sowing Time
December to February
Germination
2 to 4 weeks at 20 to 25°C
Harvest
August to October, better from year 2
Likes
Cool, bright conditions, not intense heat
Difficulty
3 out of 5, patience needed
Understanding the Species
Rocotos have been grown in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia for thousands of years, often at altitudes where other chillies struggle. Pubescens means hairy, after the soft down on its leaves and stems.
How to recognise it
No other cultivated chilli has black seeds, and none has the same purple flowers and furry leaves. The fruit has thick, juicy walls, closer in texture to a small crisp apple than a typical chilli.
A species apart
Pubescens does not cross with other chilli species, so you can grow rocotos alongside habaneros and ajis without worrying about saved seed. The juicy flesh means the fruit will not dry well, so it is used fresh, stuffed or in sauces.
Handling
Rocotos can be very hot, and much of the heat sits in the pith and seeds. Wear gloves when cutting and deseeding, and keep your hands away from your eyes.
Our pubescens varieties
When & How to Sow
Sow from December to February. Rocotos grow slowly and need a long season, so an early start makes the difference between a crop and a plant full of green fruit in October.
Think two years
A first-year rocoto may give only a modest crop. Kept frost-free over winter, the same plant usually crops earlier and more heavily the following year.
Sow warm. Sow seed 5mm deep in moist seed compost and keep at 20 to 25°C in a propagator. Seedlings appear in two to four weeks.
Grow on cooler. Once up, grow seedlings in strong light at a steady 18 to 22°C. They do not need the extra heat that chinense does.
Pot on. Move into 9cm pots, then 2 to 3 litre pots, and finally into 15 to 20 litre pots or a greenhouse bed in May or June.
Growing On Tips
Avoid overheating
Flowers fail to set above about 30°C. Ventilate well and lightly shade glass in summer.
Cool-tolerant
Copes with cooler nights than other chillies, but not frost.
Support
Plants become large, branching and almost vine-like. Stake and tie as they grow.
Even moisture
Keep compost evenly moist through summer without waterlogging.
Feed
High-potash feed weekly once flowering begins.
Pollinate
Brush open flowers to help fruit set under glass.
Overwintering
Rocotos are the best chillies to keep for several years. Before the first frost, bring the plant into a bright, frost-free place, trim it back and water sparingly until spring. Plants often crop for a second and third year.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Flowers but no fruit | Greenhouse too hot | Ventilate, shade and damp down. Fruit sets once temperatures fall. |
| Fruit green at season end | Sown too late | Sow December to February; overwinter the plant for next year. |
| Slow germination | Normal for the species, or too cool | Keep at 20 to 25°C and allow up to four weeks. |
| Sprawling, collapsing plant | No support | Stake and tie in main stems. |
| Sticky leaves, curled tips | Aphids | Squash or rinse off early and encourage predators. |
When to Harvest
Fruit ripens from August into October, and often starts earlier on overwintered plants. Pick when fully coloured and glossy.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow, heated | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Final pots | ||||||||||||
| 🌶️ Harvest |
Species Specifications
The chilli of the high Andes
Start in winter, keep it cool and bright, and keep your plant going year after year for juicy, fiery rocotos.
Shop Aji Largo Rocoto Seeds →
0 comments