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Cayenne peppers are large prolific plants. They produce bountiful crops of slender, spicy red peppers that can be used fresh or dried.

Latin Name

Capsicum annuum


Family

Solanaceae


Type of Plant

Annuals Annuals
Vegetables Vegetables

Seasons

Summer Summer

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 4'
Max spread Max Spread: 2'

Uses

  • Annual
  • Edible
  • Vegetable

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Drought

  • Colors


    Native Range

    Tropical North and South America


    History

    Washington planted cayenne peppers in his botanical garden in 1785.


    Other Details

    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington
    Sold at Mount Vernon Sold at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Botanical Garden Lower Garden

  • Botanical Garden
  • Lower Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

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    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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