How to Grow Ghost Peppers: A Beginner’s Guide

Table of Contents

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

Ghost peppers, also known as Bhut Jolokia, are among the hottest peppers in the world.

If you’re thinking about growing them, you’re likely someone who enjoys a good challenge or is ready to take your gardening skills to the next level.

They’re not your everyday pepper and growing them comes with its own set of unique considerations.

But don’t worry — whether you’re a beginner or intermediate gardener, this guide will walk you through how to grow ghost peppers step by step.

Ghost peppers aren’t just about the heat though (although, let’s face it, they are really spicy).

They can add a bold, smoky flavor to your dishes, and they’re incredibly satisfying to grow — especially if you’re ready to take on the challenge of cultivating one of the hottest peppers in the world.

Step 1: Starting with Seeds or Seedlings

How to Grow Ghost Peppers

The first decision you’ll need to make is whether to grow ghost peppers from seeds or seedlings.

Ghost peppers can be a bit tricky to start from seed, so if you’re new to pepper-growing, you might want to pick up some seedlings from a local nursery or order them online.

However, if you’re up for the challenge, starting from seeds can be a rewarding experience!

Starting from Seeds

Ghost pepper seeds are notoriously slow to germinate. It can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks for them to sprout, and they need consistent warmth to get going.

Start them early, about 10-12 weeks before your last expected frost date.

Pro Tip: Ghost pepper seeds germinate best when temperatures are consistently between 80°F and 90°F. You can use a seedling heat mat to maintain this temperature if you’re starting them indoors. Trust me, it’s worth the investment!

Starting with Seedlings

If you’d rather skip the long germination process, buying seedlings is a great way to go.

When choosing seedlings, look for healthy plants with strong stems and dark green leaves. Avoid any seedlings that look leggy or yellow — that’s a sign they might have been overwatered or kept in poor conditions.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Location

Once you have your seeds or seedlings, you’ll need to decide where to plant them.

Ghost peppers are tropical plants, so they thrive in warm, sunny spots. Like their milder cousins, such as cayenne or jalapeno peppers, ghost peppers need full sun — about 6-8 hours a day.

Location Tip: Choose a spot in your garden that gets plenty of direct sunlight. If you’re growing them in containers, place them somewhere sunny and warm, like a south-facing deck or patio.

If you live in a cooler climate, you might want to grow your ghost peppers in pots so you can bring them inside when temperatures dip below 60°F.

Ghost peppers love the sun, so don’t be shy about giving them all the light they need.

Step 3: Preparing the Soil

Ghost peppers need well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter.

Before planting, you’ll want to mix in some compost or aged manure to give your plants a nutrient boost.

The soil should also be slightly acidic, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

You can test your soil using an inexpensive pH testing kit from any garden center.

If your soil is too alkaline, you can lower the pH by adding sulfur or organic matter like peat moss.

Container Tip: If you’re planting your ghost peppers in containers, use a good-quality potting mix designed for vegetables.

Make sure the pots are at least 12 inches deep and have drainage holes at the bottom to prevent root rot.

Step 4: Planting Your Ghost Peppers

Whether you’re planting in the ground or in containers, make sure to space your ghost pepper plants about 18-24 inches apart. These plants can grow up to 3-4 feet tall, so they’ll need plenty of room to stretch out.

Planting Tip: When you plant your peppers, bury them slightly deeper than they were in their seedling pots. This encourages the plants to develop strong, healthy roots.

If you’re growing from seedlings, you’ll need to “harden them off” before transplanting them into the garden.

This means gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for a few hours a day, increasing the time each day over the course of a week or two.

Step 5: Watering and Feeding

Once your ghost peppers are planted, the next step is to make sure they get enough water — but not too much!

Ghost peppers like consistent moisture, but they don’t like soggy soil. Water deeply about once a week, or more frequently if you’re in a hot, dry climate.

Overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems, so it’s important to let the soil dry out a bit between waterings.

Step 6: Fertilizing Your Ghost Peppers

To keep your ghost peppers growing strong, you’ll want to feed them regularly. Start by working a balanced fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) into the soil at planting time.

After that, you can fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer or a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

Too much nitrogen can cause the plants to grow lots of leaves and stems but not many peppers, so go easy on the nitrogen.

You can also use organic fertilizers like compost tea or fish emulsion to give your plants a nutrient boost.

Step 7: Supporting Your Plants

Ghost pepper plants can get tall and heavy, especially once they start producing fruit.

If you notice your plants starting to droop, consider using stakes or tomato cages to help support them. 

It’s easier to stake them early on to avoid any problems later!

Step 8: Watching for Pests and Diseases

Like any garden plant, ghost peppers are susceptible to pests and diseases. The good news is that they’re relatively hardy, but it’s still important to keep an eye out for common problems.

Aphids

These tiny insects love to suck the sap from pepper plants, causing them to weaken. If you notice aphids, you can spray the plants with a mixture of water and dish soap or a premixed insecticidal soap to get rid of them.

Blossom End Rot

This common issue occurs when plants don’t get enough calcium. Make sure your soil has enough calcium and that you’re watering consistently. You can also try using a calcium supplement, if needed.

Spider Mites

These tiny pests can cause yellowing leaves and weakened plants. You can control them by spraying the plants with water or using insecticidal soap.

Step 9: Harvesting Your Ghost Peppers

How to Grow Ghost Peppers

After months of care and patience, your ghost peppers will finally be ready to harvest. But when should you pick them?

Ghost peppers start out green and will turn bright red when fully ripe.

You can harvest them at any stage, but for the best flavor and heat, wait until they turn red.

Ghost peppers can take anywhere from 100-120 days to fully mature, so be patient! The wait will be worth it when you finally get to pick your fiery red peppers.

Harvesting Tip: Use scissors or garden shears to snip the peppers off the plant, leaving a small stem attached. This helps prevent damage to the plant and encourages more peppers to grow.

Step 10: Storing and Using Your Ghost Peppers

Now that you’ve successfully grown your ghost peppers, it’s time to decide what to do with them.

You can use them fresh, but keep in mind that ghost peppers are incredibly spicy. A little goes a long way!

If you have a large harvest, consider drying your peppers. You can string them up in a warm, well-ventilated spot, or use a food dehydrator to dry them quickly.

Once they’re dry, you can grind them into a powder to use in spicy dishes throughout the year.

Common Questions About Growing Ghost Peppers

How do I know when my ghost peppers are ready to pick?

Ghost peppers are ready to harvest when they’ve turned bright red and are firm to the touch. You can also pick them when they’re green, but they’ll be spicier and more flavorful if you wait until they’re fully ripe.

Why aren’t my ghost peppers turning red?

Ghost peppers need plenty of warmth and sunlight to ripen fully. If your peppers aren’t turning red, it could be due to cooler temperatures or lack of sunlight. Make sure your plants are getting enough heat and light, and be patient — ghost peppers take longer to ripen than other varieties.

Can I grow ghost peppers indoors?

Yes, you can grow ghost peppers indoors, but they’ll need plenty of light and warmth. If you’re growing them inside, place them near a sunny window or use grow lights to give them the light they need.

Wrapping It Up

Growing ghost peppers can be a challenge, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Now that you know how to grow ghost peppers, you’re ready to take on the adventure of cultivating one of the hottest peppers around.

Just remember to be patient, provide plenty of sunlight and warmth, and enjoy the spicy fruits of your labor!

Brian Kamei

Want to keep up with our blog?

Get our most valuable tips right inside your inbox, once per month!

Related Posts