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Product Details
Product Details
Originating in India, the 'Bhut Jolokia' is one of the hottest, naturally-occurring peppers, rated over 1,000,000 Scoville heat units. That's up to 400 times hotter than a jalapeño. Dehydrate and grind the peppers into chili flakes to add a fruity, fiery kick to your plate. Use it to spice up salsa, hot sauce, or Indian cuisine if you are brave of heart and palate!
Your hardiness zone is
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 100 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Type: Over 1 Million Scoville Units, Chile Pepper (Learn more)
Native: Northeastern India
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive perennial grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 16"–48" tall, 24" wide
Variety Info: 2½"–3" long, 1" wide fruits that often have a bumpy texture and turn from green to orange-red or brilliant scarlet.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: For Mild Climates only: 2 to 4 weeks after average last frost, when soil temperature is at least 70°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°–90°F. Transplant seedlings outside 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when daytime temperatures are at least 70°F, and nighttime temperatures are at least 55°F. Mild Climates: May be sown in late summer for fall/winter crop.
Days to Emerge: 10–25 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: Start indoors
Row Spacing: 24"–36"
Thinning: Start indoors, plant seedlings 18" – 24" apart outside
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest when mature size, firm, and when peppers have turned orange/red. When harvesting, take care to avoid touching the interior of any broken peppers, as the capsaicin is an extreme irritant, especially to the eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after harvesting or wear gloves to harvest peppers.
- KaneVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsMar 2, 2026One month in and doing very well
Couldn't update my review but still wanted this to be here. (Previously noted they germinated in 6 days.
All are growing nicely!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMar 10, 2026Hey Kane,
We love hearing this fantastic update! It's wonderful that your Ghost Bhut Jolokia Chile Pepper Seeds not only had that impressive 6-day germination but are continuing to thrive at the one-month mark. That's exactly what we love to see - healthy, vigorous growth from the start! We're thrilled you took the time to share this progress update with us. Thank you for choosing us and for keeping us posted on your growing success. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Kane W.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsFeb 7, 2026Germinated in exactly 6 days
I started these early because I thought super hots like these could take a month, but these germinated at lightning speed. Will update review once they're established, but very pleased with results so far.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningFeb 7, 2026Hey Kane,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your exciting update on our Ghost Bhut Jolokia Chile Pepper Seeds! How amazing that they germinated in exactly 6 days - that's lightning speed indeed for super hots! We love that you started them early expecting a longer wait and got such a pleasant surprise with their quick germination. We're so thrilled to hear about your success so far and we're excited for your future updates as they get established. Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your growing progress with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Hunter J.Rated 5 out of 5 starsApr 16, 20255 Stars
Use a high quality seed starting mix and a heat mat and you should be successful! I didn’t have germination issues, so maybe it’s a batch issue? The flavor is great, and I made some fermented hot sauce from the 100+ fruit my plants gave me. I would grow these again!
- Maureen G.Rated 5 out of 5 starsApr 14, 20255 Stars
I received these ghost peppers as part of a generous donation Botanical Gardens makes to our non-profit each year. 3 out of 4 seeds germinated and are doing fantastic so far.
EGEpic GardeningApr 28, 2025Hey Maureen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts, and your beautiful photo, in a review. What a healthy plant. Keep on growing 🌻️
- MollyRated 5 out of 5 starsMar 5, 2026Excellent Hot Peppers
This was my first time growing a hot pepper and I was so thrilled with the results! These had good germination (even without a heating mat) and were easy to care for as seedlings. I started later in the season and had these in a spot with less than optimal light but still got more peppers than I knew what to do with by the end of the summer.
I grew them in a 7 gallon grow bag and brought them in at the end of the season under my grow lights to get a couple final peppers to finish ripening. These guys are HOT HOT HOT so to process them I chop them up and soak them in alcohol for 24 hours before cooking them down with fruit and sugar to make a hot pepper jam. I dried the rest of them and hung them in my kitchen. You can't beat the ghost pepper flavor and shocking red color!
I was almost discouraged by the other reviews but I'm so glad I got these!
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerEGEpic GardeningMar 6, 2026Hey Molly,
Wow, what an incredible first hot pepper growing experience! We love to hear our Ghost Bhut Jolokia Chile Pepper Seeds gave you such amazing results, especially with good germination without a heating mat and in less than optimal light conditions. We love your creative processing methods. That shocking red color and incredible ghost pepper flavor really can't be beat! We're so glad you didn't let those other reviews discourage you and gave our seeds a chance. Thank you for choosing us and for sharing this wonderful success story with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
