The habanero plant grows best when purchased or started indoors in most regions of the United States. Plant them outside after the danger of any frost has passed. Follow some tips on how to grow habanero pepper for a hot and spicy crop that is tasty fresh, grilled, dried, or canned.
The Habanero Plant
Habanero plants have oval, simple leaves with deep glossy green color. The plants are generally bushy and just slightly taller than they are wide. Growing habanero peppers requires a long growing season. As a warm season crop, habanero care may include plastic mulch to help keep soil warm and cloches or row covers at the start of the season. Prior to planting, incorporate a large amount of organic material to the soil to increase fertility and drainage. With proper care, the plants will produce slightly curved green or even red fruits, filled with seeds and covered in waxy, glossy skin.
Growing Habanero Peppers
Plant seeds in the garden two weeks before the last frost. Transplants grown indoors will need eight to ten weeks of growing time before planting out. In areas with less than 120 growing days, the peppers can be started earlier and grown inside until transplant time. Sow seeds ½ inch (1 cm.) deep and 18 inches (46 cm.) apart in the garden in a full sun location. Seeds are small so it is necessary to thin seedlings when growing habanero peppers. Unless your home is in an arid sub-tropical state, your habanero seeds are best started inside and then transplanted outside after soils warm. Move seedlings outside when they have at least six mature leaves. Plant them 18 inches (46 cm.) apart and cut holes in black plastic mulch to fit around the plants. This reduces competitive weeds and keeps soil warm while it also conserves water.
Habanero Care
Two important growing tips for habanero peppers are infrequent but deep watering. Row covers are often necessary with habanero care to avoid sunscald and to keep peppers from drying out and cracking. Fertilize the plants with ¼ tablespoon of nitrogen per plant when habanero plants are at least six weeks old. Apply it as a side dressing 6 inches (15 cm.) from the plants and work it into the soil. Watch for problems such as insects or blossom rot. Most insects are easy to control with blasts of water to remove them or insecticidal soap. Blossom end rot is caused by calcium deficiency and is minimized by deep watering during the bloom period. Fungal diseases are reduced by limiting overhead watering.
Harvesting Habanero Plants
Pick peppers when they are firm and green or wait until the end of the season when they color red. The fruit is equally good at either color, but all fruits must be removed from the plant before cool temperatures arrive in fall. Store them in a cool location for up to three weeks or halve and dry them completely. You can also roast and freeze the peppers or make pickled peppers for longer preservation.
