Growing Guide: Bird Pepper

Common Names:  
Bird Pepper, Annual Peppers of the Birds, Chiltecpin, Grove Peppers, Chile Pequin

Native to: 
Florida, Texas, Central America, Northern South America, the Caribbean

Traditional Uses: 
Culinary

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Plant Type:
Perennial Evergreen Shrub, can be grown as annuals in cooler climates.

Harvest Season:
Flowers Year-Round
Fruits in Winter

Mature Size:
3-10 ft tall

Soil & Moisture:
Rich, well-draining soil with a calcareous, sandy or clay soil. Drought tolerant. Cannot tolerate long-lasting freezes.

Light Requirements:
Full Sun to Part Shade

Self-Fertile: 
Yes

Growth Rate: 
Fast

Zone Hardiness: 
Grown as a perennial outdoors 8b-11 with frost protection.  Grown as an annual in cooler climates.  Patio/Greenhouse zones 4+ 

Propagation: 
Grown from seed and capable of producing fruit in its first growing season