Organic heirloom seeds for an extra-large, fiery-red habanero — fruity, floral and fearsomely hot. One of the most intense peppers you can grow at home, prized by chilli lovers and hot-sauce makers worldwide.
The Story
The habanero traces its roots to the Amazon basin and travelled north through the Caribbean to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, where it became the soul of regional cooking. For generations it has been the benchmark by which serious chilli growers measure heat.
This is the XL red form — plump, lantern-shaped fruit that ripen from green through orange to a deep glossy crimson. Beneath the searing capsaicin punch sits the habanero's signature: a bright, almost tropical fruitiness with apricot and citrus notes that no ordinary chilli can match.
A single bushy plant can carry dozens of fruit through a long, warm season. Ripen them fully red on the plant for maximum heat and flavour, then dry, freeze, or blend into the hottest, most aromatic hot sauce your kitchen has ever seen. Beautiful in the garden, unforgettable on the plate.
How Hot Is It?
The habanero sits among the hottest chillies commonly grown at home — many times fiercer than a jalapeño. Handle, taste and cook with care, and a little goes a very long way.
Grower's Profile
When to Sow in Australia
Habaneros need a long, warm, frost-free season. In cooler regions, start seed early under cover and transplant out only once nights are reliably warm. Use your local climate zone below as a guide.
| Climate Zone | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Darwin, Cairns |
G | G | H | H | S | S | G | G | H | H | G | G |
| Subtropical Brisbane, N. NSW |
G | H | H | H | · | · | I | I | S | S | G | G |
| Temperate Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, ACT |
G | H | H | H | · | · | I | I | I | S | G | G |
| Arid / Semi-arid Alice Springs, Mildura, WA inland |
G | H | H | · | · | · | I | I | S | S | G | G |
| Cool / Mountain Tasmania, Highlands |
G | H | H | · | · | · | I | I | I | I | S | G |
Growing Guide
Sow seed 5–8 mm deep in trays of moist seed-raising mix. Habanero seed needs steady warmth of 25–30°C and can be slow — allow 10–28 days to germinate. A heat mat or warm windowsill helps enormously.
Once seedlings have a couple of true leaves, transplant gently into individual pots. Keep them warm and in bright light, and water when the surface dries to grow strong, stocky plants.
After all frost has passed and nights are warm, harden plants off over a week, then plant out 40–50 cm apart in full sun and rich, free-draining soil — or into a large pot.
Feed every few weeks with a potassium-rich organic fertiliser to drive flowering and fruit. Stake heavily laden plants and keep water consistent to avoid blossom-end rot.
Pick from around 90–120 days after transplanting. For peak heat and that signature fruity flavour, let the fruit colour all the way to deep red on the plant before harvesting.
Healthy Plants
Soft clusters on tips and flower buds that can spread virus. Blast off with water, encourage ladybirds, or use a mild organic soap spray. Check undersides of leaves regularly.
Tiny white flies that lift in clouds when disturbed, weakening plants and leaving sticky residue. Use yellow sticky traps and organic sprays, and keep plants well spaced for airflow.
A serious pest in many Australian regions. Use approved traps and exclusion netting, and dispose of any stung fruit promptly to break the breeding cycle.
A sunken dark patch at the base of the fruit, caused by uneven watering and calcium uptake. Keep soil moisture steady and mulch well to prevent it — it is not a disease.
Pale, papery patches on exposed fruit during heatwaves. Encourage healthy leaf cover and use light shade cloth over plants during extreme heat to protect the crop.
Seedlings collapse at the base in cold, wet conditions. Sow into warm, fresh mix, avoid overwatering, and give trays good airflow and gentle warmth to prevent it.
At a Glance
| Botanical & Culinary Profile | |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Habanero, XL Red Habanero, Red Hot Pepper, Habanero Chilli |
| Botanical Name | Capsicum chinense |
| Type | Heirloom, open-pollinated, organic — warm-season chilli pepper |
| Heat Level | Extra hot — approx. 100,000–350,000+ Scoville Heat Units |
| Seeds Per Pack | 10 premium seeds, hand-counted |
| Plant Height | Approx. 60–120 cm, bushy and well-branched |
| Sow Depth | 5–8 mm |
| Germination | 10–28 days at 25–30°C soil temperature |
| Spacing | 40–50 cm between plants |
| Days to Harvest | Approx. 90–120 days from transplant |
| Position | Full sun, warm, sheltered, rich free-draining soil; ideal in pots |
| Fruit | Lantern-shaped, ripening green to orange to deep red; fruity-hot |
| Uses | Hot sauce, salsa, marinades, drying, pickling, chilli flakes (use sparingly) |
| Origin | Hand-packed in Australia by Eternity Essential Store |
Handle With Care
Habanero fruit are extremely hot. The capsaicin oil can cause a painful burning sensation on skin, lips and eyes. Wear gloves when cutting fresh or dried fruit, avoid touching your face, and wash hands, knives and surfaces thoroughly afterwards.
Introduce to food in very small amounts and taste as you go. Keep ripe fruit, dried flakes and any home-made sauce well out of reach of children and pets.
This product is sold as seed for growing. Grow, harvest and consume the resulting chillies responsibly and at your own discretion.
Postage & Delivery
Fast dispatch in protective, moisture-resistant packaging straight to your letterbox. Combined postage on multiple seed packets — buy more and save.
Worldwide postage is available to most destinations. Delivery times vary by country and customs processing. Carefully packed to travel safely over long distances.
Every order is hand-checked and sealed in clearly labelled packets with the variety name and basic sowing notes, so you know exactly what you are planting.
It is the buyer's responsibility to check their own country's (and where relevant, their state's) import regulations, quarantine rules and biosecurity requirements before purchasing seeds.
Seeds and plant material are restricted or prohibited in some regions. Please confirm that this product can be legally imported to your location. We cannot be held responsible for items seized, destroyed or delayed by customs or quarantine authorities, and such items are not eligible for refund where loss results from local import restrictions.
By placing an order you confirm that you have checked and comply with the relevant import and biosecurity rules for your delivery address.
Ten seeds can fill your summer with dozens of fiery-red habaneros — enough for fresh salsa, jars of sauce and a chilli stash to be proud of. Add this pack to your basket and turn up the heat.
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