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Bird peppers are large plants, easily growing to 6 feet over the course of a season. They thrive in the heat of the year and produce masses of tiny red peppers with a lot of heat and excellent flavor.

Latin Name

Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum


Family

Solanaceae


Type of Plant

Annuals Annuals
Vegetables Vegetables

Seasons

Summer Summer
Fall Fall

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 5'
Max spread Max Spread: 3'

Uses

  • Annual
  • Edible
  • Vegetable

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Drought

  • Colors


    Native Range

    Central America


    History

    George Washington planted bird peppers in June of 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 Lower Garden Pioneer Farm

  • Lower Garden
  • Pioneer Farm

  • Hardiness Zones

    USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend

    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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