Komodo Dragon Pepper in Zone 8a & 8b
Capsicum chinense
Yes, Komodo Dragon pepper grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Jan 7–Jan 14 and plant out Apr 8–Apr 15.
When to plant Komodo Dragon pepper in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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.
| Start indoors | Jan 7–Jan 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 22–Jul 29 (~105 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2.5-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of Komodo Dragon pepper in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Bell PepperApr 8–Apr 15
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)Apr 8–Apr 15
- 7 Pot Primo PepperApr 8–Apr 15
- Aji Amarillo PepperApr 8–Apr 15
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Apr 8–Apr 15
- Carolina Reaper PepperApr 8–Apr 15
Komodo Dragon is a superhot from the United Kingdom, a *Capsicum chinense* like the rest of this group.
How Komodo Dragon pepper fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Komodo Dragon pepper needs about 105 days from transplant to first harvest.
Komodo Dragon Pepper planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b 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 | Sep 26–Oct 3 |
| 4a & 4b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | May 29–Jun 5 | Sep 11–Sep 18 |
| 5a & 5b | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 24–May 31 | Sep 6–Sep 13 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 7–Feb 14 | May 9–May 16 | Aug 22–Aug 29 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 23–Jan 30 | Apr 24–May 1 | Aug 7–Aug 14 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | Jan 7–Jan 14 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jul 22–Jul 29 |
| 9a & 9b | Nov 30–Dec 7 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jun 14–Jun 21 |
| 10a & 10bSummer window | May–Jul | Aug–Sep | ~105 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11bSummer window | May–Nov | Aug–Feb | ~105 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 105 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.
Where to buy Komodo Dragon pepper seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries Komodo Dragon pepper seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing Komodo Dragon pepper" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Komodo Dragon Pepper in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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