Carolina Reaper
Capsicum chinense — 1,400,000–2,200,000 SHU
Bred by Ed Curlin in South Carolina and certified by Guinness World Records, the Carolina Reaper is the world's hottest chilli pepper. Its distinctive scorpion-like tail and wrinkled red skin conceal an extreme, slow-building heat with surprising fruity and chocolate undertones — making it as complex as it is dangerous.
🔥 Heat Scale
🌱 How to Grow Carolina Reapers
8+ hours of direct sun daily. A greenhouse or polytunnel is ideal in cooler climates — Reapers need heat to develop their full Scoville potential.
Ideal 25–32°C. Very sensitive to cold — bring indoors below 15°C. Extended warmth is key to a full crop.
Consistent moisture throughout the season. Slight drought stress during fruiting can push heat higher, but don't stress during flowering or you'll lose blossoms.
Use a 20–25L pot minimum. Reapers become large, woody plants that fruit over many months. Bigger pot = bigger plant = bigger harvest.
Heavy feeders. Use a balanced NPK feed early, switch to high-potassium tomato feed at first flower. Feed every week during peak season.
Absolutely worth overwintering. Cut back hard, keep above 10°C, and they'll produce fruit months earlier the following year.
🩺 Common Problems
Cause: Temps above 35°C cause flowers to abort
Fix: Provide afternoon shade, mist flowers, ensure good airflow
Cause: Long season crop — normal for first-year plants
Fix: Start seeds early (Jan–Feb), use a heated propagator, consider a greenhouse
Cause: Cold soil or roots, under-feeding, pot-bound roots
Fix: Ensure soil temp above 18°C, feed weekly, repot if roots circle the base
Cause: Common under glass and on young growth
Fix: Neem oil spray weekly, introduce biological controls in greenhouse
Cause: Overwatering in cool weather when plant isn't actively growing
Fix: Reduce watering in cool spells, ensure excellent drainage
❓ Common Questions
How hot is the Carolina Reaper?
Averages 1,641,183 SHU — certified world's hottest. The heat is extreme, delayed by 30–60 seconds, then builds into an intense burn lasting 20–30 minutes.
Is it safe to eat a Carolina Reaper?
Technically yes, but proceed with extreme caution. Always use gloves when handling. Eating whole is not recommended — use tiny amounts in cooking.
How long do Carolina Reapers take to fruit?
90–120 days from transplant. Start seeds in January or February indoors with heat mats to get a long enough season in temperate climates.
Can I overwinter a Carolina Reaper?
Yes — highly recommended. They become large perennial plants that fruit much earlier and heavier in their second and third years.
