How to Grow Fire Cracker Pepper From Seed
Updated July 2026
Fire Cracker is a compact ornamental-edible chile that is as beautiful as it is fiery. Its small, slim peppers stand upright and ripen through a rainbow of cream, yellow, purple, orange, and red all on the same plant. At roughly 30,000 to 40,000 Scoville heat units it is genuinely hot, so it doubles as a striking container showpiece and a source of real kitchen heat.
This is the quick guide to Fire Cracker. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, transplanting, feeding, and troubleshooting peppers, see our complete guide to growing peppers from seed.
Quick start
Start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost, kept warm at 75 to 85F. Harden the plants off, then transplant them out 18 to 24 inches apart once nights stay above 55F. Give full sun and steady water; the compact plants thrive in pots and need little support. Peppers begin ripening from about 90 days, coloring up through the full rainbow before turning red.
Start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost, kept warm at 75 to 85F. Harden the plants off, then transplant them out 18 to 24 inches apart once nights stay above 55F. Give full sun and steady water; the compact plants thrive in pots and need little support. Peppers begin ripening from about 90 days, coloring up through the full rainbow before turning red.
Best tip
At a glance
Botanical nameCapsicum annuum
Plant typeWarm-season annual
USDA zones3 to 12 (grown as an annual)
SunFull sun (6 to 8+ hours)
Days to maturity~90 days to full color
Height10 to 16 inches
Spacing18 to 24 inches apart
WaterRegular and deep; keep evenly moist
Uses
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Fire Cracker pepper take to grow?
Fire Cracker peppers usually begin ripening about 90 days after transplanting, with the little upright fruits coloring up over several weeks. Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost for the best show.
How hot is a Fire Cracker pepper?
Fire Cracker is genuinely hot, roughly 30,000 to 40,000 Scoville heat units, in the same range as a cayenne. Despite the ornamental looks, the little peppers pack a real kick, so taste with caution.
Are Fire Cracker peppers ornamental or edible?
Both. The compact plant is prized as an ornamental because its small upright peppers turn cream, yellow, purple, orange, and red all at once, but the fruits are fully edible and quite hot, great for drying or adding heat to cooking.
How big does a Fire Cracker pepper plant get?
Fire Cracker stays compact, usually about 10 to 16 inches tall, which makes it ideal for pots, borders, and sunny windowsills. A container is often enough support, though a light stake helps if it gets top-heavy with fruit.
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Want more peppers? These value packs pair Fire Cracker with other sweet and hot varieties:
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