How to Grow Volcano Scarlet
Wikimedia Commons
Volcano Scarlet
Capsicum annuum 'Volcano Scarlet'
vegetableVolcano Scarlet is an ornamental pepper variety prized for its striking upright, bright red peppers and compact, bushy growth habit. The peppers are small to medium-sized, typically 2-3 inches long, with a fiery appearance and mild to moderately hot heat level. This variety is excellent for containers, borders, and edible landscaping due to its visual appeal and prolific fruit production.
When should you plant Volcano Scarlet 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.
Example Volcano Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Volcano Scarlet
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Volcano Scarlet
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Volcano Scarlet dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11, commonly grown as an annual in cooler zones or indoors
Sign up free to see if Volcano Scarlet grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Volcano Scarlet timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge within 7-10 days. Plant develops first true leaves; very delicate and slow-growing.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain 70-75°F. Provide bright, indirect light or grow lights 2-3 inches above seedlings.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksPlant develops bushy foliage with 4-6 true leaves. Stems thicken and growth accelerates. No flowers yet.
Maintain warm temperatures (70-85°F). Begin light fertilizing every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions if transplanting.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers appear at leaf axils. Plant becomes increasingly compact and branched. Flowers are delicate and short-lived.
Maintain consistent watering and warmth. Apply bloom-boosting fertilizer (higher phosphorus). Ensure adequate sunlight for pollination. Gentle air circulation aids pollination.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green peppers form and grow upright on branches. Peppers gradually elongate and change color from green to bright red over 2-3 weeks.
Continue consistent watering, especially during fruit development. Maintain fertilizer schedule. Mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Harvest
6-8 weeks (ongoing)Peppers reach full size and display vibrant scarlet color. Plant continues producing new flowers and fruit throughout season in warm climates.
Harvest ripe peppers regularly to encourage continued production. Use sharp pruners or scissors to avoid damaging branches. In cooler zones, plants slow significantly once night temps drop below 60°F.
Common Pests
-
Increase humidity, mist foliage, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly as needed
-
Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
-
Remove affected fruit, apply spinosad, practice crop rotation, remove plant debris
-
Yellow sticky traps, neem oil, insecticidal soap, reflective mulch
-
Plant disease-resistant varieties, improve soil drainage, remove infected plants, sterilize tools
Uses
Fresh eating and mild heat cooking
CulinaryVolcano Scarlet peppers can be eaten fresh, sliced into salads, or used in cooking. They offer a mild to moderate heat level (30,000-50,000 Scoville units), making them accessible to those who enjoy some spice without extreme intensity. [source]
Ornamental container gardening
HouseholdThe compact, bushy growth habit and vibrant scarlet fruits make Volcano Scarlet ideal for decorative pots on patios, balconies, and windowsills. It provides both visual interest and edible produce. [source]
Drying and powdering
CulinaryRipe peppers can be dried whole or sliced, then ground into spicy powder for use as a seasoning or spice blend. They retain flavor and heat when properly dried. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe flowers attract bees and other pollinators, making this plant valuable in edible landscapes designed to support beneficial insects. [source]
Decorative dried arrangements
CraftPeppers can be left on the plant to dry naturally or harvested and air-dried for use in dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and fall decorations. [source]
Harvest Tips
Peppers can be harvested green or allowed to fully ripen to scarlet red (red peppers are sweeter and contain more nutrients). Use clean scissors or pruners to cut peppers with a short stem attached. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production. In containers, plant may produce fruit for 6+ months in warm climates or indoors.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Volcano Scarlet peppers are called 'volcano' for their upright, flame-like growth pattern where peppers point dramatically skyward on the plant.
- 🌱 The red color in mature peppers comes from lycopene and beta-carotene, antioxidants that develop as the fruit ripens and become more nutritious than green peppers.
- 🌱 A single Volcano Scarlet plant can produce 40-100+ peppers over a growing season in ideal conditions, making it extremely prolific for ornamental edible gardening.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Volcano Scarlet planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Volcano Scarlet 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 Volcano Scarlet timeline →