Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) in Zone 11a & 11b
Capsicum chinense
Yes, ghost pepper (bhut jolokia) grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors in May–Nov and plant out in Aug–Feb.
When to plant ghost pepper (bhut jolokia) in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Window | Summer window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | May–Nov |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Aug–Feb |
| Estimated harvest | ~115 days after transplanting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-4 ft.
Zone 11b dates sourced from edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of ghost pepper (bhut jolokia) in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Bell PepperAug–Feb
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)Aug–Feb
- 7 Pot Primo PepperAug–Feb
- Aji Amarillo PepperAug–Feb
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Aug–Feb
- Carolina Reaper PepperAug–Feb
The ghost pepper, or bhut jolokia, comes from northeast India. It was the first pepper widely recognized as passing one million Scoville units. Several later superhots descend from it or its close relative Naga Morich, including Naga Viper and 7 Pot Primo.
How ghost pepper (bhut jolokia) fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Mar 14–Mar 21 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Oct 6–Oct 13 |
| 4a & 4b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | May 29–Jun 5 | Sep 21–Sep 28 |
| 5a & 5b | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 24–May 31 | Sep 16–Sep 23 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 7–Feb 14 | May 9–May 16 | Sep 1–Sep 8 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 23–Jan 30 | Apr 24–May 1 | Aug 17–Aug 24 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 7–Jan 14 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Aug 1–Aug 8 |
| 9a & 9b | Nov 30–Dec 7 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jun 24–Jul 1 |
| 10a & 10bSummer window | May–Jul | Aug–Sep | ~115 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11bSummer window (your zone) | May–Nov | Aug–Feb | ~115 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 115 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
- Basil: Reputed to repel aphids and improve pepper growth nearby, but a controlled garden trial testing this same claim on a related crop found no pest-reduction benefit from basil, and found higher pest counts on the basil-companioned plants. Treat this pairing as unproven, not as a working pest deterrent.
- Onion: Reputed to deter many common pepper pests, though this specific pairing hasn't been tested the way onion/carrot pest-masking has. Treat it as garden tradition. (usually zones 3-10, so not a pairing for zone 11b)
Where to buy ghost pepper seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market (ghost pepper seeds)
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing ghost pepper (bhut jolokia)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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