C. chinense. Habanero pepper seeds are central to the cuisine of Yucatan, Mexico. The little lime-green peppers ripen first to sunset golden, and then to "You've been warned" red. Start indoors in March. The seed is slower to germinate (up to 3 weeks) and should be kept at 21-24°C (70-75°F). Use bottom heat of a Seedling Warmer heat mat to accelerate germination. Big plants need fertile soil and lots of heat to mature, but are well worth the time - and the tears. At 100,000 - 350,000 SHU's, these powerful chiles are for spice lovers, and not for the faint of heart. If really good plant health can be maintained, it's possible to keep the plants alive as short lived perennials to produce for at least two seasons. Matures in 90-100 days. (Open-pollinated seeds) Spicy hot Little lime-green peppers that ripen to red Big plants that need lots of heat to mature Open-pollinated Matures in 90-100 days
