Pepper - Spinning Top

Minimum Seed Count: 10

The Spinning Top pepper is a hot pepper variety known for its vibrant, cone-shaped fruits that resemble spinning tops. The peppers super productive starting green, and ripen to a bright red when fully ripe. Compact and heavily branching, these plants are perfect for container growing, borders, or garden beds where color and heat are both desired. Despite their small size, the peppers deliver a surprising kick with a slightly sweet, crisp bite.

Heat Level: 🌶️ Around 20,000–40,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) — similar to a mild cayenne.
Flavor: Hot, slightly sweet, and peppery.
Plant Type: Compact ornamental; produces dozens of small, upright fruits.

🌱 Spinning Top Pepper Planting Guide

Soil:
Use rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0–6.8. Mixing in compost or aged manure before planting improves yield and health.

Starting Seeds:

• Start Indoors: 8–10 weeks before your last frost date.

• Germination Temp: 75–85°F (24–29°C).

• Germination Time: 10–20 days. Keep warm and humid until sprouted.

Transplanting:
Transplant outdoors after frost when night temps stay above 55°F (13°C).
Space 12–18 inches apart — plants stay fairly small and bushy.

Light Requirements:
Full sun (6–8 hours daily). These peppers thrive in heat and light.

Watering:
Water deeply once or twice a week. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf issues.

Fertilizing:
Use a balanced fertilizer early on (like 5-5-5), then switch to a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer once flowers form to boost fruiting.

Days to Maturity:
About 80–100 days from transplant to ripe fruit.

Harvest:
Peppers can be harvested at any color stage, but the flavor and heat peak when fully red. Frequent picking encourages continued fruiting.