Red Ember

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Sun-warmed and vivid, Red Ember peppers glow with a fiery, ember-red sheen and a bright, cayenne-sharp bite that builds from first spark to lingering warmth.

At maturity they hang in tidy, upright clusters, with smooth, tapered skins that feel crisp and resilient—ideal for turning into bold flavor accents. Grow Red Ember for a steady harvest that shines in dried flakes, hot sauces, and quick pickling brines where its clean heat and vivid color really stand out.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
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

Red Ember’s cayenne-class heat is bright and clean—great when you want flavor that hits fast and stays on the palate without turning bitter. Use it sliced and short-cooked for maximum crisp snap, or dry/flake it for consistent, repeatable heat in sauces and brines.

Best Uses

dried into thin flakes for fast, even re-heating
quick pickling in a short brine for crisp heat-forward peppers
hot sauce where you want clear, linear cayenne heat (not smoky)
slicing into sautés and letting the juice coat the pan before it burns

Flavor Profile

cayenne-sharp initial bite ember-red heat that builds and lingers crisp, smooth skin with a clean pepper snap

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime vinegar olive oil honey chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Capsicum annuum (Long Red Cayenne type) and how do I control it?

A frequent problem is aphids and thrips, which can stunt plants and spread viruses in hot weather. Check undersides of leaves weekly; spray affected plants with insecticidal soap, and remove heavily infested foliage early. If you see wilting with gray moldy spots, improve airflow and avoid overhead watering—then remove affected leaves to limit spread.

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

During flowering and fruit set, water deeply about 1–2 times per week, keeping the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Aim for about 1 inch of water weekly total, increasing slightly in peak heat and reducing if the top 1 inch of soil stays wet. Mulch helps stabilize moisture, but never let peppers sit in waterlogged soil.

How can I tell when my Red Ember peppers (Capsicum annuum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully elongated and firm, typically about 70–75 days after transplant for this type, and turn their mature red color. Pick individual peppers at peak color—green-to-red transition should be complete on the fruits you harvest. If left too long, quality can drop and plants may slow new fruit production.