Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) is a group of hot peppers native to Cuba. Cultivars in this group include "Caribbean Red," "Red" and "Scotch Bonnet." Although gardeners treat peppers as annuals in most locations of the temperate region, habanero peppers are perennial in their native habitat. Gardeners tend to disagree on the subject of pruning Habaneros during their first growing season, but two types of pruning benefit the plants. During the growing season, habaneros produce bushier growth and larger fruit when gardeners clip out young growth tips from main shoots. A second, more severe, pruning prepares habanero plants for a winter rest for those who wish to keep plants for another season or more.
Cut back the habanero plant to two main branches, selecting the strongest branches available. Make this first cut after the plant has 10 to 12 leaves.
Clip out the growth tips of each shoot, after the second leaf, to encourage branching. Stems grow sturdier and plants bush up when pruned early in the season.
Remove yellow or low-hanging leaves during the growing season. Yellowing of lower leaves is not uncommon in pepper plants and does not necessarily indicate a problem.
Pruning for Winter
Cut off all young peppers too small to mature before the end of the growing season about six weeks before you plan to take plants inside for the winter.
Pinch out new flower buds to prevent the plant from spending energy on further fruit set.
Cut off all top growth of the habanero pepper plant, leaving shoots with only two to three sets of leaves when you are ready to take the plant inside. If the plant was already growing in a container, place it by a sunny window or greenhouse, or place the plant under florescent lights. Dig up habanero plants growing in the garden and plant in fertile potting soil with good drainage.
Things You Will Need
- Garden shears
- Habanero plant seeds germinate more slowly than many other types of peppers. Over-wintered plants provide a head start on hot pepper production.
- Mist pepper plant blossoms daily for more fruit set.
- Avoid pruning roots of habanero pepper plants when cultivating in the garden. Severed roots may not be able to take in enough calcium for the fruit, leading to blossom end rot.
- Volatile oils, the ingredients that make habaneros hot, can injure skin and eyes, even causing blindness. Wear gloves and avoid touching your face when working with hot peppers. Work in a well-ventilated area.
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Chile Pepper Production in California
- Texas A&M System: AgriLife Extension: Jalapeno and Other Hot Peppers
- Utah State University: Peppers in the Garden
- Iowa State University: Peppers
- North Carolina State University: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper and Watermelon
- Union County College: Red Pepprs
- The American Horticulture Society A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants; Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk
- Oregon State University: Peppers
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