Habanero peppers are one of the hottest peppers in the world. These pepper plants take a long time to grow, but with patience and proper care, you can add them to your vegetable garden. In this article, I’ll review the different stages of growth that Habanero peppers go through. By understanding its life cycle, you will become a better gardener.
Germination
It’s best to plant their seeds indoors and then transfer them to your outside garden once the soil is warm. Habanero pepper seeds germinate in 7 – 21 days as long as the soil stays at a toasty 80 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vegetation Growth
Seedlings can be transferred to your outside garden when they have at least six developing leaves. Wait at least two weeks after the date of the last freeze before transferring them outside. If it’s been a colder-than-average spring, keep them indoors until the daytime temps reach at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
For best results, prepare the soil with a starter fertilizer and ensure it has a pH level of 6 – 6.5. It’s also a good idea to space the seedlings 18 – 24 inches apart to allow plenty of room to grow.
The habanero pepper plant will continue sprouting as the days become longer and hotter. It will shed older leaves and replace them with new ones.
Flowering
After being outside 2 – 4 weeks, habanero pepper plants will produce white or yellow flowers. These flowers will eventually transform into peppers after pollination.
Pollination
Habanero plants self-pollinate, meaning they do not rely on other plants for pollination.
Some flowers can lead to a fruit by itself when pollen drops to the stigma. Other flowers will be rely on insects, butterflies, and small birds to complete the pollination process.
Fruiting
Once the plant’s flowers are pollinated, the habanero pepper plant is mature enough to harvest. At this stage, a fleshy pericarp forms, thickens, and swells to form the habanero pepper.
Ripening
Habanero peppers are generally green until they mature and become yellow. When this happens, you’ll know when it’s ripe enough to pick. Seeds can then be stored and planted for a new crop of peppers.
