Cayenne Chilli Pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Cayenne’) – Outdoor Edible Plant

Cayenne chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Cayenne’) is a classic, high-yielding edible plant known for its long, slender red chillies with a medium-hot kick. Perfect for adding heat to cooking, drying, or making your own chilli flakes, this variety is both productive and easy to grow in UK conditions with the right warmth and sun. A tender perennial often grown as an annual in the UK, cayenne peppers are not evergreen but will crop heavily through summer into early autumn. Ideal for containers, greenhouses, or sunny patios, this is a must-have for any edible garden or kitchen grower.

Plant Care

Position: Full sun, warm and sheltered spot (greenhouse, conservatory, or south-facing patio)
Hardiness: Not frost hardy – protect from cold, treat as an annual outdoors in the UK
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; allow the top layer to dry slightly between watering
Feeding: Feed regularly with a high-potassium fertiliser once flowering begins to encourage fruiting
Potting: Use A Sandy Loam for good drainage and strong root development in containers
Hot Tips: Pinch out the growing tips once the plant is established to encourage bushier growth and more fruit; support plants as chillies develop; harvest regularly to keep production going
Pet Friendly: No – fruits can be irritating if ingested