Satan’s Kiss Hot Pepper Seeds – Italian Heirloom Cherry Chili (Capsicum annuum)

Satan’s Kiss — Baccio Ciliegia Piccante in Italian — is a beloved heirloom chili from southern Italy with a deceptively innocent cherry shape and a proper kick. Golf-ball-sized pods are traditionally stuffed with anchovies and mozzarella, then grilled over an open flame. Fast-growing and productive, this sturdy Italian variety reaches maturity in 85 days and delivers loads of hot, flavorful cherries all season long. A must-grow for Italian cuisine lovers and pepper enthusiasts alike.

Variety Details

• Species: Capsicum annuum
• Also Known As: Baccio Ciliegia Piccante / Satana
• Origin: Southern Italy (heirloom)
• Pod Shape: Round, cherry/golf ball-sized
• Heat Level: Hot
• Days to Maturity: 85 days from transplant
• Growth: Sturdy, fast-growing, highly productive
• Best Use: Stuffed and grilled, fresh cooking, antipasto, pickling

Starting Seeds

• Sow ¼ inch deep in organic seed-starting mix; plant 1–2 seeds per cell
• Germination temperature: 80–85°F — heat mat recommended; maintain consistent warmth
• Germination time: 1–6 weeks — be patient; hot pepper germination is variable
• Avoid peat pots; use plastic cell packs or 4-inch square pots
• Once seedlings reach 2 inches, water weekly with half-strength liquid fertilizer
• Transplant outdoors at 12+ inches tall, 2 weeks after last frost, on an overcast day
• Harden off carefully before final outdoor placement

Growing Tips

• Full sun; well-drained soil enriched with organic fertilizer at transplant
• Mulch with grass clippings to retain moisture; use soaker hoses or drip irrigation
• Use tomato cages to support heavy yields
• Grows well in 5-gallon containers year-round
• Perennial in Zone 9+; grow as annual in Zone 8 and below