About this seed

Thai Dragon is a very hot chili (Capsicum annuum, family Solanaceae), rated at 50,000–100,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The plant stays 60–90 cm tall and carries many slender red chilies 5–7 cm long. The packet holds 5 seeds.

Also known as: Chili pepper, Mirchi (Hindi), Milagai (Tamil), Mulaku (Malayalam), Chile (Spanish), Piment (French), Peperoncino (Italian), Pimenta (Portuguese), Chili (German), Prik (Thai).

Fruit and plant

Fruit: slender, 5–7 cm long, ripening to bright red.
Heat: 50,000–100,000 SHU, with a slightly fruity undertone.
Plant: bushy, 60–90 cm, with small white flowers; fits containers and small spaces.
Origin: Southeast Asia.

Green or red

Fruit matures in about 75–80 days. Pick it green for a milder flavour or wait until red for the full heat.

Sow warm, about 6 mm deep

Keep the soil at 18–35 °C, the optimum range for this species. At 25–35 °C seedlings usually appear in about 8–9 days. Sow about 6 mm deep and start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date. These figures are typical for Capsicum annuum, not measured on this lot.

Planting out

Move seedlings outside after the last frost, once temperatures stay above 20 °C. Give them full sun, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, and feed with a balanced fertilizer during the season.

Keeping spare seed

Pepper seed of this species stays usable for about 2 years when stored cool, dark and dry. We do not state a germination percentage for this packet.

What you get

5 seeds of Hot Pepper Thai Dragon.

FAQ

How hot is Thai Dragon?

50,000–100,000 SHU.

When should I move plants outside?

After the last frost, when temperatures stay above 20 °C.

What is it used for?

Curries, stir-fries, marinades and hot sauce; it also dries well for chili powder.