Candlelight Hot Pepper Seeds – 1983 All-America Selections Winner (Capsicum annuum)

Candlelight Hot Pepper – 1983 All-America Selections Winner, Ornamental & Edible

Capsicum annuum | Annual | 85 Days to Maturity (Purple Stage) | Full Sun

An award-winning compact hot pepper with extraordinary visual impact, Candlelight earned its 1983 All-America Selections designation for good reason. Perfectly sized for indoor pots, patio containers, and border plantings, this mounded plant produces dense clusters of small 1-inch fruits that stand upright like little candles — ripening in a striking color progression from light yellowish-green to orange to vibrant red. Mildly hot and fully edible, Candlelight is equally valuable as a kitchen herb and a living ornamental — a true “hot summer survivor” for both gardeners and chili enthusiasts.

Plant Details

• Species: Capsicum annuum
• Type: Ornamental & Edible Hot Pepper – AAS Winner 1983
• Days to Maturity: 85 days (purple/yellow-green stage); 120 days (fully red ripe)
• Fruit Size: ~1 inch long × 1½ inches wide; upright clusters
• Color Progression: Light Yellowish-Green → Orange → Bright Red
• Heat Level: Mildly Hot
• Plant Height: 10–12 inches; mounded, upright habit
• Plant Width: 16–18 inches
• Spacing: 14–16 inches apart
• Seed Count: 30 seeds per packet
• Hardiness: 40°F (4.4°C) minimum; annual in most climates

Soil & Water

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost; target pH 6.0–6.8. Water deeply — 1 inch per week. Mulch 1–2 inches around the base for moisture retention and temperature regulation. Add compost tea every 2–3 weeks for the first 6 weeks after transplant.

Planting & Growing Tips

• Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before the last expected frost; sow ¼ inch deep in organic seed-starting mix.
• Maintain 80–85°F (27–29°C) soil temperature; a seedling heat mat is recommended. Germination: 1–4 weeks.
• Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed; space 14–16 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
• Indoor/container growing: ideal in 3-gallon pots as a long-season houseplant — excellent for windowsills and patios.
• Serves as a beautiful backdrop for other annuals or as a colorful border or divider in garden beds.

Harvest Tips

• Harvest at any color stage — mildest when yellow-green, hottest and most flavorful when fully red.
• Very pungent despite small size — handle with care; wash hands after handling.
• Use garden scissors to cut cleanly from stems; pick regularly to encourage continued production.
• Excellent for pickling, drying, hot sauces, and as a garnish. A stunning living centerpiece at harvest maturity.