About
Capsicum annuum 'Krakatoa' is a compact chili pepper variety that produces numerous upright, pale green fruits that mature to a vibrant red during the summer months. The peppers grow upright above robust, medium-green leaves. This plant serves both ornamental and culinary purposes, making it ideal for cultivation in greenhouses or on windowsills. Harvesting occurs from July to October.
About the genus
Capsicum comprises both annual and perennial species characterized by simple, alternate foliage and flowers that are either tubular or bell-shaped. These plants are cultivated primarily for their glossy, multi-seeded fruits, which include varieties such as chili and bell peppers. Additionally, they serve as popular choices for indoor ornamental displays.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sand, Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral, Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets: Irritant if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Sow indoors from late Winter to mid-Spring on the surface of a small pot filled with good quality seed compost and cover with a fine layer of vermiculite. When seedlings are 2.5cm tall transplant to individual pots, water and keep in a sunny spot. See how to grow: chilli peppers for further advice
- Pruning
- Pinch out growing tips to encourage bushiness
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds