Tabasco pepper (Capsicum frutescens)
Care, watering, light and tips for Tabasco pepper on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Solanaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 10–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Tabasco pepper
The 'öporo or 'öpogo (Capsicum frutescens) is a perennial plant in the Solanaceae family, known for its pungent fruits that ripen from green to red. It features dense foliage and small white or greenish flowers. It is ideal for home gardens, sunny patios, or as an edible ornamental plant in warm climates.
Native range
Tropical Central and South America
Care tips
It requires full sun for good fruit production and regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. It prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A common mistake is a lack of pollination, which can be improved by attracting pollinating insects or through manual pollination.
How to save a dying Tabasco pepper
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or drooping leaves, general wilting, wrinkled or soft fruits.
- First aid
- Check watering (neither dry nor waterlogged). Repot if pot is too small. Fertilize balanced.
- What kills it
- Constant waterlogging, lack of direct sunlight, untreated pests like aphids or spider mites.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not rotted. Act quickly with watering, light, and pest control.