Cayenne Long Slim

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Crimson-scarlet heat with a bright, peppery snap—Cayenne Long Slim delivers long, slender pods that hang like glossy ribbons and deepen to a vivid, mature red.

The flesh is crisp and finely textured, ideal for drying or for adding bold, fiery character to sauces and pickles. Grow this 75-day standout for a steady harvest of elegant pods that look as striking as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Cayenne Long Slim

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This long, crisp cayenne gives you an immediate, linear burn without tasting woody—more snap than smoke—so it stays lively in vinegar pickles and hot sauces. Dry it until it turns pliable-dry, then grind for a vivid, pepper-forward heat that clings to oil-based marinades and chicken.

Best Uses

string-out for quick pickling in vinegar and salt brine
toasted-and-crushed into fiery spice blends
dry and grind for a redder, more fragrant cayenne powder
slender slicing into hot sauces for a clean heat curve

Flavor Profile

crimson-hot cayenne heat bright peppery bite crisp, finely textured flesh snap when fresh; leathery-dry when dehydrated

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime vinegar olive oil black pepper chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Capsicum annuum (cayenne peppers), and how can I control it?

A frequent problem is aphids and thrips, which can stunt growth and cause leaves to curl while also spreading virus diseases. Spray affected plants with insecticidal soap or neem, and remove heavily infested tips; repeat every 5–7 days for two to three cycles. For fungal issues like blossom-end/fruit rots, avoid wetting foliage and ensure steady watering (drought–soak swings trigger stress-related problems).

How often should I water Capsicum annuum during the main growing phase?

During active fruit development (roughly once plants are flowering), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy: water deeply about 1–2 times per week, more often in hot, windy weather. The goal is a wet root zone down several inches without standing water; let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings. Consistent moisture helps prevent misshapen pods and stress-related blossom-end issues.

How do I know when cayenne peppers (Capsicum annuum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods reach the typical cayenne length and look firm; for the classic red cayenne, wait until the pods are fully red and glossy. You can also harvest earlier (green) for a milder flavor, but full maturity generally aligns with about 75 days. Use scissors or snips to avoid tearing the plant, and pick regularly to encourage continued flowering and new pod set.