How to Grow Jamaican Red Chillies from Seed

Glossy red Jamaican Red chillies
Glossy red Jamaican Red chillies
Chilli Growing Guides · Capsicum chinense

How to Grow Jamaican Red Chillies from Seed

A Caribbean chilli in the Scotch bonnet mould, ripening to deep glossy red with a fruity, faintly smoky character.

Jamaican Red is a Caribbean chinense in the Scotch bonnet mould, ripening to a deep glossy red with the fruity, faintly smoky character that makes island pepper sauces what they are.

It crops heavily and looks handsome on the plant. Start it early and grow it warm.

Quick Facts at a Glance

Species

Capsicum chinense

Heat

Very hot

Sow

January to February

Harvest

September to October

Best Grown

Greenhouse or polytunnel

Difficulty

Full growing method

Jamaican Red 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

The fruit

Scotch bonnet-style pods ripening to deep, glossy red.

The flavour

Fruity with a faintly smoky edge.

In the kitchen

Island pepper sauces, jerk and Caribbean stews.

Cropping

Heavy cropping and handsome on the plant.

Handling

Wear gloves when cutting or deseeding, and keep your hands away from your eyes and face.

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 'Jamaican Red'
HeatVery hot
FruitScotch bonnet type, deep glossy red
FlavourFruity, faintly smoky
YieldHeavy
Best useCaribbean pepper sauce
Grow Your Own

Island pepper sauce, home grown

Sow early, keep it warm, and pick heavy crops of glossy red Caribbean chillies through autumn.

Shop Jamaican Red Seeds →