Growing Tabasco Peppers

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Tabasco peppers have become one of the most recognizable pepper varieties. This is thanks to the popular hot sauce brand that exclusively uses them in their recipe. If you want to grow tabasco peppers from seed, I’ve got you covered!

In this article, I’ll share a simple guide to growing tabasco peppers from seed to harvest. The great thing is that this pepper can easily be grown in containers or directly in the ground. Either way, I’ll share everything you need to know to get a big harvest of fresh tabasco peppers!

1. Plant Seeds

For best results, plant seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your local last frost date. You can plant your seeds in 3-inch pots, or in 6-cell trays if growing more plants. They will grow in these until they are ready to be transplanted into larger containers or directly into the garden.

To plant tabasco pepper seeds, sow 2-3 seeds in potting soil about ¼ inch deep. Cover the seeds and spray with water. Keep the pots in a warm, humid environment for 7 days or until the seeds sprout.

Tip: For the best germination, use a humidity dome and a spray bottle to ensure the seeds never dry out. For faster sprouts, keep the containers in a very warm location.

2. Grow Under Grow Lights

After sprouting, your pepper seedlings will need lots of bright light. Since we grow so many plants each year, we always use grow lights. However, for a small batch you can just use a bright and sunny window.

Young peppers grow slowly, so be patient at first! If using grow lights, set them to be turned on for 14-16 hours per day. Our recommended lights can be placed around 12-18 inches above the plants. Water as needed to keep the soil moist and avoid wilted leaves.

3. Transplant Outdoors

After a few weeks of growth, your plants will be ready to transplant into larger pots or into the garden. Tabasco peppers can be grown in a variety of container sizes, anywhere from an 8 inch pot to a 20 gallon container. The larger the pot, the larger the plant and bigger the harvest. However, I also like to grow them directly in the ground.

Choose a sunny spot for your tabasco plant to live. I have noticed that this variety particularly loves sunshine. It can easily handle full-sun conditions, and will do best with bright light all day long. However, it should grow fine in a location with partial shade.

After transplanting, water the soil thoroughly and apply a thick layer of natural mulch (such as shredded leaves or straw). The plants will take a few weeks to adjust to the new environment, so expect growth to be stunted temporarily.

Note: Only transplant outdoors permanently after the overnight temperatures are consistently staying above 50°F overnight. Avoid freezing temperatures or your pepper plants will suffer!

4. Fertilize and Water

Like all plants, peppers need plenty of water, nutrients, and light to thrive. However, avoid over-watering, as this can lead to issues like root rot or a shallow root system.

Fertilize with an all-purpose fertilizer, especially if growing in containers. For in-ground beds, I like to pre-amend the soil with nitrogen and sometimes other amendments like potassium if a soil test indicates low levels.

If you’re not sure what is needed, add nitrogen (with bloodmeal or similar), and keep an eye out for signs of other nutrient deficiencies during the season.

5. Harvest

Tabasco peppers are ready to harvest when they fully turn red. Once ripe, pick the peppers immediately to avoid a mushy texture or reduced heat level. Tabascos can take a long time to fully ripen. Be prepared to wait at least 4 weeks for the light green peppers to turn red.

Fun fact: Tabasco peppers are ready to harvest about 80-90 days after transplanting outdoors.

6. Use Your Peppers

Tabascos are fairly versatile, but I think they are best for a few specific uses. Here is how I suggest using your fresh tabasco peppers:

• Make a dehydrated powder – Dehydrating tabasco peppers is quick and easy thanks to their thin flesh. Place them in a dehydrator whole and dehydrate for around 24 hours. The dried pods can be stored whole or ground into a powder, lasting for a year or longer.
• Make hot sauce – If you want to try your hand at homemade Tabasco sauce, you’ll have to start with fermentation. I suggest making a simple tabasco pepper mash with salt.
• Freeze them – If you don’t have an immediate use, tabasco peppers freeze very well. I highly recommend using a vacuum sealer for the best freezer life. You can also use freezer bags and squeeze out as much excess air as possible before storage.
• Cook them fresh – Tabasco peppers are pretty hot, but if you like your food extra-spicy they are great to cook with fresh! Throw a couple in with stir fry or other pepper recipes.

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More Pepper Growing Info

If you want a more detailed guide, read our article about growing hot peppers. If you have any questions about tabasco pepper plants, leave a comment below!