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

Capsicum annuum 'Shishito' is Shishito pepper (Shishitogarashi), an annual growing 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Thin-walled wrinkled peppers 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) long. Harvest when green — the traditional Japanese cooking stage. About 1 in 10 fruit is hot (variable capsaicin expression — the defining trait of Shishito: unpredictable heat). Most fruit are mild (50-200 SHU) but occasional fruit reach 1,000-4,000 SHU. Heat increases if left to ripen red. White star-shaped 5-petaled flowers. Dark green smooth ovate foliage. In the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Open-pollinated of Japanese origin — seed can be saved. The name means 'lion head pepper' from the wrinkled tip. Fruit production slows above 90°F (32°C) — the primary limitation in hot climates. Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Non-toxic (edible crop). Deer-resistant. Full sun. Tender annual. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar of Japanese origin. The species C. annuum is native to Central and South America.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). Japanese pepper — about 1 in 10 is hot. Harvest green. Open-pollinated. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by thin-walled wrinkled peppers 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) with a wrinkled tip (the 'lion head'). Green when harvested. About 1 in 10 fruit is hot — unpredictable capsaicin expression. 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

~16 weeks

Summer Fall

Summer to fall (June-October). White star-shaped 5-petaled flowers continuously. Self-pollinating. Fruit 60-70 days from transplant. Continuous production until frost.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, star-shaped, 5-petaled, 0.4 inch (10 mm)

Foliage Description

Dark green, smooth ovate, 2-4 inches (5-10 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 - 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

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Start indoors 8 weeks early. Compact — cage or short stake. Pick regularly when green at 3-4 inches (7-10 cm). Fruit production slows above 90 degrees F (32 degrees C). Open-pollinated. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

Pruning

Pick fruit regularly at 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) when green. Remove lower leaves touching soil. No heavy pruning needed. Remove the first few flowers to build a stronger root system.

Pruning Schedule

summer