← Plant Guides

How to Grow Durango Scarlet Pepper

Wikimedia Commons

Durango Scarlet Pepper

Capsicum annuum

vegetable

Durango Scarlet is a compact, ornamental hot pepper plant that produces abundantly with upright, fiery red peppers. Known for its decorative appeal and prolific fruiting, it's excellent for containers and small garden spaces. The peppers have a Scoville rating of 70,000-80,000 units, making them moderately hot.

When should you plant Durango Scarlet Pepper in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Durango Scarlet Pepper timeline →

Example Durango Scarlet Pepper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Durango Scarlet Pepper

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Durango Scarlet Pepper

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Durango Scarlet Pepper dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 8-10 hours daily minimum
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply when top inch of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering and waterlogged soil. In containers, may need daily watering in hot weather.
📏
Spacing: 18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-90 days from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: 0.25 inches (seeds); transplants at same depth as nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Perlite for drainage Balanced NPK fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-10; grown as annual in cooler zones, perennial in warmer climates

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Sign up free to see if Durango Scarlet Pepper grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Durango Scarlet Pepper timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny green shoots with first true leaves appearing. Plant is 2-4 inches tall.

Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide 14-16 hours of grow light daily, positioned 2-3 inches above seedlings. Maintain temperatures 70-75°F. Thin to strongest seedlings.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops multiple branches and dark green foliage. Height increases to 12-18 inches. Bushy, compact form characteristic of Durango Scarlet emerges.

Harden off transplants over 7-10 days before planting outdoors. Space 18 inches apart. Mulch around base to retain moisture. Begin fertilizing every 2 weeks with balanced formula. Provide consistent warmth (70-80°F).

3

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Small white or pale flowers appear at leaf axils. Plant reaches mature height of 18-24 inches. Very ornamental with green foliage and prolific flower production.

Maintain consistent watering. Ensure full sun exposure for flower development. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer; switch to phosphorus-rich formula to encourage blooming. Remove any early flower buds on young plants to redirect energy to growth.

4

Fruiting

4-6 weeks

Green peppers develop from flower buds, gradually enlarging. Peppers mature from green to bright scarlet red. Plant becomes visually striking with red peppers against green foliage.

Continue consistent watering without allowing standing water. Apply balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer every 3 weeks. Provide support with stakes or cages if peppers become too heavy. Ensure 8+ hours daily sun.

5

Mature Harvest

6-8 weeks ongoing until frost

Peppers fully red, glossy, and firm. Compact plant dense with ripe fruit. Peak ornamental and culinary quality achieved.

Harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering and fruiting throughout season. Cut or carefully pinch peppers from stems. Continue watering and light feeding. Remove any yellowing lower leaves.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Parsley Oregano Marigold Tomato Eggplant Onion Spinach

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Kohlrabi Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Potatoes

Common Pests

  • Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs. Use yellow sticky traps for monitoring.

  • Increase humidity and mist plants. Apply miticide or neem oil spray. Rinse leaves with water to remove mites. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.

  • Use reflective mulches to confuse insects. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves. Vacuum adults with handheld device if indoors.

  • Remove and destroy infested peppers. Apply spinosad insecticide. Maintain sanitation by removing fallen fruit. Rotate planting location yearly.

  • Spray with neem oil weekly. Use blue sticky traps. Remove severely damaged leaves. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation.

Uses

🍳

Hot Cooking and Spice

Culinary

Durango Scarlet peppers are excellent for fresh use in salsas, stir-fries, and hot sauces. Their moderate heat (70,000-80,000 Scoville units) makes them accessible to heat-tolerant home cooks. [source]

🌿

Container and Landscape Gardening

Ornamental

The compact, bushy plant with prolific bright red fruit is highly decorative for patios, decks, and garden borders. Excellent for mixed container plantings and small spaces. [source]

🏠

Dried Peppers and Paprika

Household

Harvested peppers can be dried for long-term storage and ground into powder for seasoning. Dried Durango Scarlet peppers retain their heat and distinctive flavor. [source]

💊

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Medicinal

Like other hot peppers, Durango Scarlet contains capsaicin, which may provide pain relief and have anti-inflammatory benefits when consumed or applied topically. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The abundant white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity and improving fruit set. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest peppers when fully red and firm, typically 60-90 days after transplanting. Cut with pruning shears rather than pulling to avoid damaging plant. Can harvest at green stage for milder flavor, but red peppers are hotter and sweeter. Harvest regularly to promote continuous fruiting. In cooler climates, harvest before first frost.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Durango Scarlet peppers get progressively hotter as they mature, with red peppers reaching peak heat levels significantly higher than their green stage counterparts.
  • 🌱 The plant name 'Durango' references the Mexican state of Durango, a region famous for its rich chili pepper cultivation heritage spanning centuries.
  • 🌱 A single Durango Scarlet plant can produce 50-100+ peppers in a single season when conditions are optimal, making it one of the most prolific ornamental pepper varieties.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch pH Transplant True Leaves
Shop Durango Scarlet Pepper plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Durango Scarlet Pepper planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Durango Scarlet Pepper seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Durango Scarlet Pepper timeline →