Thai Dragon

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

A bright, lantern-like heat—Thai Dragon peppers ripen to a glossy, warm scarlet that glows against deep green foliage.

Long, gently curved pods taper to a fine point and carry a smooth, taut skin with a crisp snap; their fiery flavor is bold and clean, ideal for building pungency in everyday sauces and stir-fragrant dishes. Grow for a steady harvest over the season—each plant offers a graceful cascade of peppers that look as striking as they taste.

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

Thai Dragon peppers bring a fast, lantern-bright heat with a crisp, lively bite—perfect when you want chili flavor to stay clean rather than turn murky. Treat them as your pungency engine: late in cooking or blended for chili oil, they give you steady fire and a glossy, flavorful finish.

Best Uses

quick blitz into chili oil or hot-sauce purée for fast, fearless pungency
stir-fry and add late for heat that stays sharp and doesn’t collapse
thin-slice into wok sauces where they perfume without turning bitter
dry-sauté briefly then crumble into fried rice or noodle dressings

Flavor Profile

clean, bright chili heat crisp snap with a smooth, taut pepper bite fruity-cayenne brightness without smoky heaviness

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime fish sauce soy sauce brown sugar coconut milk

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Capsicum annuum (Thai Dragon), and what should I do?

For Capsicum annuum, watch closely for aphids and thrips, which can stunt growth and spread virus-like symptoms. Spray plants with insecticidal soap (especially underside of leaves) and remove heavily infested leaves; repeat every 5–7 days for 2–3 rounds. If you see wilting with dark, water-soaked lesions at stems or fruit rot, remove affected parts immediately and avoid overhead watering to keep foliage dry.

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

During the main flowering-and-fruiting phase, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for watering when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil feels dry. Thai Dragon peppers typically need about 1–2 inches of water per week (including rainfall), adjusting upward during hot spells and downward if nights stay cool and damp. Ensure good drainage so the roots don’t sit in wet soil, which encourages root and stem rots.

How can I tell when Thai Dragon peppers are ready to harvest?

Thai Dragon peppers usually reach harvest around 75 days from transplanting (your exact timing will vary by temperature). Harvest when fruits are fully elongated and firm; for peak flavor, wait until they change from green to their mature color and reach full size. If they’re still soft, thin, or glossy-green without mature color, leave them on the plant for a few more days.