Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion) in Zone 11a & 11b
Capsicum chinense
Yes, superhot pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion) grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors in May–Nov and plant out in Aug–Feb.
When to plant superhot pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion) 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 | ~135 days after transplanting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Zone 11b dates sourced from edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of superhot pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion) 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
Superhot peppers (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion, and their relatives) are a different commitment than a standard pepper plant. Days to maturity commonly runs 120-150+ days versus roughly 75-100 for a regular hot pepper, and germination itself is slower and far less consistent, sometimes taking 2-6 weeks instead of the usual week or so. Start these far earlier than you'd think to.
How superhot pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion) 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.
Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion) 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 26–Nov 2 |
| 4a & 4b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | May 29–Jun 5 | Oct 11–Oct 18 |
| 5a & 5b | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 24–May 31 | Oct 6–Oct 13 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 7–Feb 14 | May 9–May 16 | Sep 21–Sep 28 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 23–Jan 30 | Apr 24–May 1 | Sep 6–Sep 13 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 7–Jan 14 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Aug 21–Aug 28 |
| 9a & 9b | Nov 30–Dec 7 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jul 14–Jul 21 |
| 10a & 10bSummer window | May–Jul | Aug–Sep | ~135 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11bSummer window (your zone) | May–Nov | Aug–Feb | ~135 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 135 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 superhot pepper seeds
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Bhut Jolokia (Ghost Pepper): The variety that started the modern superhot craze, rated just over 1 million Scoville units by Sandia Seed, at 110 days from transplant, squarely in the standard 120-150+ day range Reaper and Trinidad Scorpion Yellow are both faster than. Buy: Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market Full notes
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing superhot pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion)" 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 Superhot Pepper (Ghost, Reaper, Scorpion) in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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