Cayenne Long Red Thin

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Cayenne Long Red Thin to a garden.

Aromatic and fiery, Cayenne Long Red Thin unfurls into sleek, pencil-straight peppers with a glossy, deep-red sheen and a bright, lingering heat that builds with every breath of their pungent fragrance.

The flesh is pleasantly crisp and thin-walled, delivering a clean snap and a vivid, peppery bite that shines in dried flakes, bold sauces, and quick pickling. Grow this long-season favorite for a dependable harvest of elegant pods—85 days to maturity—ideal for gardeners who want a striking, heat-forward pepper they can enjoy all season long.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Cayenne Long Red Thin

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Cayenne Long Red Thin Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 30th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Long and thin, this cayenne is built for fast flavor release—slice it or dry it and it fires up sauces and oils without adding bulk. The crisp walls make quick pickles feel snappy and bright, while the lingering heat plays nicely with acidic partners like vinegar and lime.

Best Uses

rapid quick-pickling for thin slices that stay snappy
toasting and grinding into vivid dried-flake style chile powder
stir-in for heat and aroma in oil-based sauces
slit-and-stuffing in small quantities to keep heat controlled

Flavor Profile

bright, punchy cayenne heat pungent, peppery aroma crisp, thin-walled snap clean, lingering burn

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil vinegar black pepper chicken lime

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Capsicum annuum (cayenne) and what should I do?

Watch for aphids and thrips, which commonly cluster on young cayenne growth and can leave leaves distorted or sticky. Spray affected plants with insecticidal soap (or a strong water rinse for small infestations) and repeat every 5–7 days until new growth stays healthy. If you see wilting with brown stems or leaf spotting that spreads in wet weather, remove affected leaves and improve airflow around plants to reduce disease pressure.

How often should I water cayenne peppers during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set, keep soil evenly moist by watering when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, usually about 1–2 times per week depending on heat. Aim for deep watering that wets the root zone rather than frequent light sprinkles, since irregular moisture can trigger blossom drop and small, misshapen fruits. Mulch around the plants to slow evaporation and prevent big swings between wet and dry.

How do I tell when Capsicum annuum (cayenne) is ready to harvest?

Harvest cayenne when fruits have reached the full mature length (often around 6–10 inches for long, thin types) and are firm. Pick pods when they turn the target color (typically red) and the skin looks glossy, with a crisp feel instead of rubbery. For the best flavor, pick regularly—leaving ripe cayenne on the plant can slow additional production.