Hot Portugal Pepper – Live Plant | Heirloom Prolific 85 Days

A USDA-Preserved Portuguese Heirloom — Prolific, Hot & Perfect for Drying

Hot Portugal (Capsicum annuum) is a high-yielding USDA-preserved heirloom from Portugal — long, thin-walled, scarlet-red fruits at 6 in long that ripen quickly even in shorter growing seasons. Very hot with a sweet, spicy complexity. Outstanding dried into red chile flakes or used fresh in stir-fries and stews.

Plant Details

• Species: Capsicum annuum
• Heat Level: Very hot — thin-walled, concentrated heat
• Fruit: 6 in long × ¾ in wide, glossy scarlet red at maturity
• Plant Size: 24–30 in tall
• Days to Maturity: 85 days from transplant
• Best For: Red chile flakes, stir-fries, soups, stews, drying
• Container Friendly: Yes – 5-gallon pot, 12–18 in spacing

Growing Tips

Plant in full sun with rich, well-draining soil. Amend the planting hole with compost and feed every 2–3 weeks for the first 6 weeks. Mulch the base with 1–2″ of compost to retain moisture. Keep indoors during cold snaps below 55°F.

Harvest Tips

Harvest with clean garden scissors when fruits are fully scarlet red. Best flavor when allowed to fully ripen on the plant before picking.