Pepper - Khang Starr Lemon Starburst

Minimum Seed Count: 10

The Khang Starr Lemon Starburst is a brilliant pepper that lives up to its name, bursting with both color and flavor. Bred by pepper grower and YouTube gardener Khang Starr, this variety is a stabilized cross between the Bahamian Goat and Scotch Bonnet, resulting in a pepper that’s as unique as it is beautiful. The fruits ripen to a vibrant, sunny lemon yellow, sometimes with slight orange blushes, and feature a rounded bonnet-like shape with subtle ribbing.

Flavor-wise, it delivers a tropical citrus sweetness balanced by intense heat, often comparable to or just under a habanero level. The aroma is fruity and floral, making it excellent for fresh eating (if you can handle the fire), hot sauces, salsas, and drying into bright powders. The plants are vigorous producers, setting heavy yields of these striking pods.

🌱 Planting Guide:

Start Indoors:

• Begin seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date.

• Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in a light, well-draining seed-starting mix.

• Keep soil temperature between 80–85°F for best germination.

• Germination can take 7–21 days, so patience is key.

Transplanting:

• Harden off seedlings before moving them outside once nighttime temps stay above 55°F.

• Transplant into the garden or large containers after danger of frost has passed.

• Space plants 18–24 inches apart in full sun.

Soil & Water:

• Prefers rich, well-draining soil with added compost or organic matter.

• Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—peppers dislike “wet feet.”

• Mulching helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Care:

• Provide a stake or cage for support if plants grow heavy with fruit.

• Fertilize lightly every 2–3 weeks with a balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer to encourage strong fruit set.

• Pinch off the first few blossoms to help the plant put energy into growth early on.

Harvest:

• Fruits ripen from green to a glowing lemon yellow (sometimes blushing orange).

• Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production.

• Use gloves when handling, as the heat rivals habanero levels.