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

Capsicum annuum 'Shishito' is the Shishito pepper, a compact bushy annual growing 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Prolific production of thin-walled wrinkled elongated green peppers 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) long, harvested green in 60-70 days from transplant. Approximately 1 in 10 fruit is unexpectedly spicy (50-200 Scoville heat units vs. 0 for most fruit) — this unpredictability is part of the cultivar's character. White 5-petaled flowers at leaf axils. In the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The name 'shishito' derives from the Japanese shishi (lion) + togarashi (chili pepper) — the wrinkled tip resembles a lion's head. A Japanese cultivar traditionally blistered whole in a hot skillet with oil and sea salt. A single plant can produce 50-100+ fruit per season. Regular picking stimulates continued production. Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. The fruit ripens to red if left on the plant but is typically harvested green. Leaves contain trace solanine. Ripe and green fruit are both edible and non-toxic. Full sun (6+ hours). Tender annual. Growth rate is moderate to fast.

Native Range

Japanese cultivar. The species C. annuum is native to Central America and Mexico.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). Harvest green at 3-4 inches. Blistered whole in a skillet with oil and salt. 1 in 10 is spicy. Prolific. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by thin-walled wrinkled elongated green peppers 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) on a compact bushy plant. The wrinkled skin and the occasional spicy fruit (1 in 10) distinguish Shishito. Japanese cultivar. In Solanaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 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 flowers at leaf axils. Self-pollinating. Fruit 60-70 days from transplant. Prolific (50-100+ fruit per plant).

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, 5-petaled, small, solitary at leaf axils

Foliage Description

Bright green, ovate to lance-shaped, smooth

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 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

60-70 days from transplant (green harvest)

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Rich moist well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Start indoors 8 weeks early. Harvest regularly at 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) green. Approximately 1 in 10 fruit is spicy. Leaves contain trace solanine. Fruit non-toxic. Tender annual.

Pruning

No pruning needed. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Pick the first few flowers for stronger plant growth. Stake if fruit load causes leaning.

Pruning Schedule

summer