Hot pepper 'Tabasco'

Small, bright red chili pepper, perfect for hot sauces and marinades

Tabasco hot pepper ( Capsicum frutescens ), offered by OSC Seeds

Famous for being one of the main ingredients in Tabasco sauce , this hot pepper produces small, shiny , cylindrical , upward-pointing, slightly tapered red fruits, about 3 cm long. Their spiciness is moderate yet aromatic, ideal for marinades , homemade hot sauces , drying, or fermentation. While hot, it remains milder than extreme varieties like Caribbean Hot or Trinidad Scorpion .

Type: Hot pepper
Scoville scale: ~50,000 SHU
Propagation: Indoor sowing
Plant height: 60–75 cm (bushy habit)
Package size: Approximately 20 seeds
Harvest time: 75 days
Frost tolerance: Killed by frost
Companion plants: Basil, onions, tomatoes
Incompatible plants: Fennel
Heritage: Openly pollinated

Planting and maintenance:
Start seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost, in a light potting mix. Maintain a temperature of around 21°C (70°F) to encourage germination. Grow in bright light, then transplant outdoors to full sun in warm, fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants 30–45 cm (12–18 inches) apart. Water regularly, but avoid overwatering. Harvest when the fruit turns from green to bright red, at which point its flavor and spiciness are at their peak.