Aji Lemon Drop

Pepper

Zone 2b Save Garden

Botanical illustration of Aji Lemon Drop

🌱 80d to harvest Upright

Bright as a sunlit citrus peel, Aji Lemon Drop produces slender peppers that ripen from creamy pale yellow to a vivid lemon-gold …

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 27th
Last Frost	May 15th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jul 10th
Harvest Begins	Sep 28th
Harvest Ends	Aug 25th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
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

Recommended Companions

Lemon Basil Basil

Genovese Basil Basil

Lettuce Leaf Large Italian Basil

Thai Basil Basil

Pistou Basil

Mammoth Basil

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Aji Lemon Drop plants suddenly wilting with yellowing leaves—could it be Verticillium or Fusarium wilt, and what should I do?

Verticillium/Fusarium wilt often starts with one-sided or lower-leaf yellowing followed by wilting even when the soil isn’t dry. Pull and discard the affected plants (don’t compost), then avoid planting peppers in that spot for several years; fumigating or treating soil at home won’t reliably eliminate these soilborne fungi. In future seasons, use fresh or pasteurized potting mix, keep plants well-spaced for airflow, and water at the soil line to reduce stress that worsens wilt.

How often should I water Aji Lemon Drop during the main growing phase (after it’s established and flowering)?

During flowering and fruit set, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically watering about 1–2 times per week, with more frequent watering for containers. Check moisture 1–2 inches deep; water when that depth feels dry to the touch, then water thoroughly until excess drains. Inconsistent moisture can trigger blossom drop and cause uneven fruit size.

How can I tell when Aji Lemon Drop chilies are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are firm and fully colored (typically bright yellow to orange-yellow) and have reached full size; the 80-day timeline is a good guide from transplanting. If you taste one, it should have a clear “lemon drop” flavor—sweetish upfront with noticeable heat—rather than being pale and watery. Leaving pods too long can lead to wrinkling and slower new fruit set.

Bright as a sunlit citrus peel, Aji Lemon Drop produces slender peppers that ripen from creamy pale yellow to a vivid lemon-gold glow. The flavor is tangy and pleasantly piquant with a crisp, juicy bite—ideal for adding vivid heat and citrusy lift to fresh salsas, lively sauces, and quick pickles, or for roasting until the skins blister and deepen the sweetness. Compact plants make it easy to grow at home, and the long harvest window keeps the garden looking radiant through the season.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 60°F and nights stay above 50°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 days first.

Expert Note

For the best citrusy flavor and early set, start seeds warm (about 80°F), keep seedlings from getting rootbound, and transplant only once nights are consistently above 50°F with soil near 60°F+.