Tabasco Pepper Plant Care

Tabasco Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Capsicum genus. Tabasco Pepper is native to Central and South America as well as Mexico. Tabasco Pepper is also known as Bird's Eye Chili, Chili Pepper, Pepper.

Tabasco Pepper displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tabasco Pepper produces small white or purple flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Tabasco Pepper every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Tabasco Pepper thrives in full sun.

Capsicum frutescens tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Tabasco Pepper prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Tabasco Pepper to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Tabasco Pepper every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tabasco Pepper is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Tabasco Pepper can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Tabasco Pepper while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Tabasco Pepper is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Tabasco Pepper can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bell pepper plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Tabasco Pepper is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Tabasco Pepper grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Tabasco Pepper is native to Central and South America as well as Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Tabasco Pepper as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.