About this seed

7 Pot Congo Giant Red is a large-podded Capsicum chinense pepper from Trinidad, rated at about 800,000 to over 1,000,000 SHU. Its wrinkled pods reach 5–7.5 cm and ripen deep red. The packet holds 5 seeds.

Also known as: Seven Pot Congo Giant Red, 7 Pod Congo Red, Chili pepper, Mirchi (Hindi), Milagai (Tamil), Mulaku (Malayalam), Chile (Spanish), Piment (French), Peperoncino (Italian), Pimenta (Portuguese), Chili (German), Prik (Thai).

The large-podded 7 Pot

Within the 7 Pot group, named for the story that one pod seasons seven pots of stew, this selection is known for pod size.

Plant: vigorous, 90–120 cm tall
Pod: wrinkled, lantern-shaped, 5–7.5 cm long
Colour: green, ripening red
Heat: about 800,000 to over 1,000,000 SHU, with a citrus, fruity taste

Start indoors in soil at 24–29 °C

Start seed indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost and hold the soil at 24–29 °C until the seedlings are up.

Planting out

Move plants outside only after the risk of frost has passed. Give each plant 60–75 cm of space, full sun and rich, well-drained soil with compost. Water regularly but moderately and avoid soggy soil. Pods ripen about 90–110 days after transplanting.

How the pods are used

The pods are used sparingly in hot sauces and marinades, dried and ground into chili powder, and in curries and stews.

What you get

The packet holds 5 seeds of 7 Pot Congo Giant Red, enough for five plants if every seed comes up. We do not state a germination percentage for this packet.

FAQ

How is it different from 7 Pot White?

Both are rated at about 800,000 to over 1,000,000 SHU. Congo Giant Red ripens red and has the larger pod, 5–7.5 cm against 2.5–5 cm.

When are the pods ripe?

When they have turned fully red, about 90–110 days after transplanting.