What are the sun requirements for Capsicum annuum 'Cayenne'?

Capsicum annuum 'Cayenne' is cayenne pepper (red cayenne), an annual growing 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall and 15-18 inches (38-45 cm) wide. Slender tapered pendant peppers 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long and 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) diameter. Ripen from green to deep red. 30,000-50,000 Scoville units (hot — the standard hot pepper for drying and powdering into cayenne spice). The thin walls dry rapidly — the primary drying pepper worldwide. White star-shaped 5-petaled flowers. Dark green smooth lanceolate foliage. In the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Open-pollinated — seed can be saved. Handle with gloves — capsaicin causes skin and eye irritation. The long season requirement (70-85 days from transplant plus 8 weeks indoor start totaling 130+ days) is a limitation for short-season climates. Fruit production slows above 90°F (32°C). Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost — transplant only. Non-toxic (edible crop). Deer-resistant (capsaicin deters browsing). Full sun. Tender annual — killed by first frost. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar. The species C. annuum is native to Central America (Mexico, Guatemala).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L). The standard drying pepper — thin walls dry rapidly. 30,000-50,000 Scoville. Open-pollinated. Handle with gloves. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by slender tapered pendant peppers 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long and 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) diameter that ripen from green to deep red on an upright bushy plant. The thin-walled slender shape and the high heat (30,000-50,000 SHU) distinguish cayenne from broader milder types. In Solanaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread1'3" - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer Fall

Summer to fall (June-September). White star-shaped 5-petaled flowers continuously. Self-pollinating. Fruit 70-85 days from transplant. Continuous production until frost.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, star-shaped, 5-petaled, 0.5 inch (12 mm)

Foliage Description

Dark green, smooth lanceolate to ovate, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 6.8(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

70-85 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-6.8. Start indoors 8 weeks early — transplant only. Stake or cage as fruit loads branches. Pick regularly. Handle with gloves — 30,000-50,000 Scoville. Fruit production slows above 90 degrees F (32 degrees C). Open-pollinated — save seeds. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

Pruning

Pick fruit regularly to encourage continued production. Harvest at 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) when deep red for full heat. Remove lower leaves touching soil. No heavy pruning needed. Handle with gloves.

Pruning Schedule

summer