Hot Pepper-Kanthari

Kanthari, or Capsicum frutescens, which is also known as "Bird's eye pepper", this variety is popular in Kerala and in Sri Lanka. The bird's eye chili plant is a perennial with small, tapering fruits, often 2 to 3, at a node. The fruits are very pungent. The flowers are greenish white or yellowish white. The chilies are small (only 1-2 cm) and not extremely hot, and is often used in chutneys and pickles. It measures around 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville units. It can be harvested in 70-80 days from sowing. We currently have 3 varieties of Kanthari: White, Green, and Violet.

Latin Name: Capsicum frutescens

Planting Guidance: Seeds should be sown 8-10 weeks before planting out after last frost. Plant seeds 1/4 in. deep in well-drained soil in shallow flats. Maintain soil temperature at least 75-85 degrees F for good germination. Peppers won’t germinate in cold potting soil–heat makes a big difference in seeds germinating in 5 days, or seeds taking up to 20 days.

Approx. Seed Count:

• Retail Packet: 30-40 Seeds

Seed Treatment

Untreated

Genetics

Open Pollinated

Hindi Name: Harimirch

Marathi Name: Mirchi

Gujrati Name: Marchu મરચું

Kannada Name: hasiru meNasina kaayi ಹಸಿರು ಮೆಣಸಿನಕಾಯಿ

Telugu Name: Mirapakaya

Tamil Name: Pachamulagai

Bengali Name: Lanka

Malayalam Name: Pachamulag