Long Red Thin Cayenne

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Planting Schedule

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

A slow, sun-warmed burn begins with Long Red Thin Cayenne’s glossy, lantern-bright pods—crisp-skinned and elegantly tapered, with a lively snap that feels as fresh as it looks.

Expect a classic cayenne heat that builds steadily, ideal for brightening sauces and fiery blends, while the slender length makes it wonderfully easy to string, dry, or keep on hand for bold flavor. Grow this 85-day standout for a steady harvest of vivid red peppers that bring both visual drama and dependable, peppery intensity to your garden.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Long Red Thin Cayenne

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Long Red Thin Cayenne 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	Mar 30th	Jul 20th	Oct 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jul 14th	Oct 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Oct 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jul 8th	Oct 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jul 3rd	Sep 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 29th	Sep 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 26th	Sep 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 20th	Sep 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 15th	Sep 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Jun 5th	Aug 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 27th	Aug 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 18th	Aug 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	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	Bush
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

Long Red Thin Cayenne delivers that dependable, slow-building cayenne kick—crisp-skinned and easy to handle—so it shines when heat needs to bloom in oil or be portioned as a sharp seasoning. Its slender shape also makes drying and grinding efficient, giving you a clean peppery bite that doesn’t muddy the sauce.

Best Uses

thin-slicing into hot oil to perfume chili-spiked sauces
drying and grinding into a fine, bright cayenne seasoning
stringing for rustic kitchen storage and quick pinch-and-cook dosing
stirring into warm braises where you want heat to bloom without sweetness

Flavor Profile

classic cayenne heat snappy crisp pod skin clean peppery bite with a steady build

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil vinegar chicken smoked paprika lime

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Capsicum annuum (Cayenne-type peppers), and how do I fix it?

For cayenne peppers, watch for aphids and thrips, which can stunt growth and cause curled leaves and poor fruit set. Spray plants with a strong jet of water to dislodge small infestations, then repeat every 3–4 days for a couple of weeks; for heavier pressure, use insecticidal soap and coat both leaf sides. If you see gray-brown lesions or wilting during warm, humid weather, remove affected leaves promptly and improve airflow with wider spacing to reduce disease spread.

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

During active growth and flowering (after seedlings establish), keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, rather than frequent light watering, which encourages shallow roots and blossom-end issues. Mulch helps maintain steady moisture so peppers keep setting fruit.

How can I tell when Long Red Thin Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at full red maturity: the peppers should be fully elongated and turn a uniform deep red, typically around 85 days from transplanting. If you harvest earlier, they may be orange or partially red and will be hotter/less developed in flavor and size. Check regularly during the last 2–3 weeks—ripe fruits will detach more easily with a gentle twist or can be snipped with pruners.