Tabasco Chili Seeds

Information: The tabasco variety was originally cultivated in the state of Tabasco in Mexico and achieved fame in the mid-nineteenth century when Louisiana-based company McIlhenny used it to make their famous tabasco sauce. Both there and in Central and South America, this variety of chili is grown on a huge scale.

The plants have bushy growth form and are perennial; at this latitude, it is therefore recommended to grow them in a pot so that you can keep them over the winter. From the second year onwards, they usually bear a large number of fruits. The small peppers grow upright and ripen from green through yellow to red. Although the fruit`s outer walls are thin, the flavourful peppers have plenty of juice. This makes them great for eating fresh and it goes without saying that they are great in sauces, however they can also be pickled, dried or used to make chili powder.

Care: Germination temperature is between 22°C and 28°C (germination period: 8 - 20 days); it is therefore recommended to use a greenhouse and a heating mat. The plants need fresh, well-fertilised permeable soil and should not be left in standing water. They should be placed in a sunny, sheltered place with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, if not more. The earliest time to place the plants outside is 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost. As the plant is perennial, it should be grown in a plant pot and kept over winter. It might be necessary to cut them back slightly and place them in a light place where it is at least 15°C.

You can find plenty of useful tips for successfully growing chili plants in our Chili Growing Guide and in the Chili Journal.