How to Grow Habanero 'Red Savina' Chillies from Seed

Chilli Growing Guides · Capsicum chinense

How to Grow Habanero 'Red Savina' from Seed

World record holder for the hottest chilli from 1994 until 2006, and still ferociously hot, with genuine habanero fruitiness behind the burn.

'Red Savina' held the Guinness World Record for the hottest chilli from 1994 until 2006, and it is still ferociously hot by any sane measure. Behind the burn there is a genuine habanero fruitiness worth having.

It needs the earliest possible sowing and a full season under cover to ripen in Britain. This is not a beginner's chilli.

Quick Facts at a Glance

Species

Capsicum chinense

Heat

Superhot

Sow

January to February

Harvest

September to October

Best Grown

Under cover all season

Difficulty

Full growing method

'Red Savina' is grown like every other Capsicum chinense. Our species guide covers sowing temperatures, potting on, feeding, pollination, overwintering and problems step by step.

Read the Capsicum chinense guide →
01

About this Variety

A record holder

The hottest chilli in the world for twelve years, before the naga era began.

The flavour

Real habanero fruitiness sits behind the intense heat.

Who it suits

Experienced growers ready for a demanding, long-season chilli.

Growing note

Sow as early as you can, and keep it under glass from sowing to harvest.

Handling

Always wear gloves when picking or handling 'Red Savina', wear eye protection when cutting or blending, and keep fruit away from children and pets.

02

Sowing & Harvest Calendar

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🌱 Sow, heated
🪴 Final pots
🌶️ Harvest
Sow in heated propagator
Final pots or greenhouse bed
Harvest
03

Variety Specifications

Latin nameCapsicum chinense 'Red Savina'
HeatSuperhot
RecordGuinness World Record holder 1994 to 2006
FlavourFruity habanero character
GrowingUnder glass, full season
Suitable forExperienced growers
Grow Your Own

A piece of chilli history

Sow in January, give it a full season under glass, and grow the habanero that held the world record for twelve years.

Shop Red Savina Seeds →