The Red Peter Pepper is one of America’s most storied novelty heirlooms — a variety with Southern roots, a distinctive shape, and enough heat to take seriously. Wayland Chiles grows these seeds on our small family farm in Florida, hand-selecting and packing every packet. Whether you’re growing for the conversation, the heat, or both, this is a variety that won’t disappoint.

• A true American heirloom with Southern roots — the Peter Pepper has been passed through backyard gardens for generations. Bright fruity heat with a bold red finish makes it a standout in hot sauces, pickles, and fresh salsas. One of the most recognizable novelty peppers in the world, and genuinely productive in the garden.
• Pods grow 3–4 inches long on compact plants reaching 18–24 inches tall. Semi-upright pod orientation. Matures from green to bright red in approximately 70–80 days from transplant. Sets fruit continuously through the season with good production per plant.
• Fruit color: matures from green to bright red. Medium-thick walls with the variety’s characteristic lobed tip. Heat level: approximately 10,000–23,000 SHU — medium hot with a bright, fruity pepper flavor.
• Heirloom • Open-Pollinated • Non-GMO • Untreated • USA-Grown
• Packet: 1500 Seeds

Wayland Chiles is a small family seed farm in Florida. All seeds are grown, hand-selected, and packed in the USA. Contact us directly with any questions, we stand behind every packet we sell.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Heirloom Variety, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Untreated, Novelty Pepper, USA-Grown, Hand-Selected Seeds

CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Sow 1/4 inch deep at 80-85F. In zones 3-6 start indoors February-March, transplant after frost. In zones 7-11 start indoors late winter or direct sow after frost. Keep soil evenly moist, fertilize every 2-3 weeks. Use black plastic mulch in short-season climates to extend the growing season.

MATERIAL FEATURES: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Untreated (no fungicide coating), Hand-Selected, USA-Grown

SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE: Full Sun in northern regions zones 3-6, Partial Sun to Full Sun in southern regions zones 7-11 where afternoon shade protects plants during peak summer heat

EXPECTED BLOOMING PERIOD: Summer in most regions, Spring through Fall in southern zones 9-11

MOISTURE NEEDS: Regular Watering, consistent moisture throughout the growing season, reduce frequency in cooler northern climates to avoid waterlogging

USDA HARDINESS ZONE: 3-11, grown as annual in zones 3-9, may overwinter as perennial in zones 10-11

EXPECTED PLANT HEIGHT: 18-24 inches

EXPECTED PLANTING PERIOD: Spring, zones 3-6 transplant May-June, zones 7-11 transplant February-March

SOIL TYPE: Well-draining loam or sandy loam, slightly acidic to neutral pH 6.0-6.8, amend heavy clay soils with compost, raised beds recommended in cooler northern climates