Eden Seeds
Chilli Rocoto Tree Seeds
$3.90
Unit price perCapsicum pubescens
Rocoto Tree, also known as Hotlips, is a remarkable South American heirloom Chilli with a cultivation history stretching back thousands of years in the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia. One of the most distinctive domesticated chilli species, Capsicum pubescens is easily recognised by its softly hairy foliage, beautiful dark purple flowers and unusual black seeds.
Plants develop into vigorous, branching shrubs and can become substantially larger and longer-lived than many annual chillies. The green fruits ripen to brilliant red and have thick, juicy, fleshy walls quite unlike the thinner fruits of many hot varieties. Their heat can vary with growing conditions but is substantial, generally falling around 100,000–300,000 Scoville Heat Units.
Rocoto is prized throughout Andean cooking for both its heat and its distinctive fruity flavour. The substantial fruits are excellent for sauces and salsas, pickling and preserving, and are traditionally stuffed for dishes such as the Peruvian rocoto relleno.
Unlike many chillies, Rocoto originates from cooler high-altitude environments and performs particularly well where nights are cooler. It dislikes extreme heat and is surprisingly hardy in suitable conditions, although plants remain sensitive to frost. Established plants can crop for much of the year in favourable climates and are also noted for showing good resistance to fruit fly compared with many other chillies.
Its vigorous perennial habit makes Rocoto an excellent container plant where sufficient space is provided, and mature plants can become highly productive.
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
Heat: Medium to very hot – approximately 100,000–300,000 SHU
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Best in cooler highland locations
Subtropics: Late winter to spring, with protection from extreme summer heat
Mild climates: Spring to early summer
Cold climates: Start under protection in late winter to spring and transplant after frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into trays or pots and keep consistently moist. Rocoto seed can be slower to germinate than many common chillies, so allow several weeks for emergence.
Transplant once seedlings are sturdy and frost risk has passed, spacing approximately 60–100 cm apart or growing individually in large containers. Choose a fertile, well-drained position with good moisture and protection from severe heat.
Allow fruits to ripen from green to bright red for their fullest flavour and mature heat. Plants can live and crop for several years where protected from frost and extreme conditions.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Chilli Rocoto Tree Seeds
$3.90
Unit price per
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Capsicum pubescens
Rocoto Tree, also known as Hotlips, is a remarkable South American heirloom Chilli with a cultivation history stretching back thousands of years in the Andean regions of Peru and Bolivia. One of the most distinctive domesticated chilli species, Capsicum pubescens is easily recognised by its softly hairy foliage, beautiful dark purple flowers and unusual black seeds.
Plants develop into vigorous, branching shrubs and can become substantially larger and longer-lived than many annual chillies. The green fruits ripen to brilliant red and have thick, juicy, fleshy walls quite unlike the thinner fruits of many hot varieties. Their heat can vary with growing conditions but is substantial, generally falling around 100,000–300,000 Scoville Heat Units.
Rocoto is prized throughout Andean cooking for both its heat and its distinctive fruity flavour. The substantial fruits are excellent for sauces and salsas, pickling and preserving, and are traditionally stuffed for dishes such as the Peruvian rocoto relleno.
Unlike many chillies, Rocoto originates from cooler high-altitude environments and performs particularly well where nights are cooler. It dislikes extreme heat and is surprisingly hardy in suitable conditions, although plants remain sensitive to frost. Established plants can crop for much of the year in favourable climates and are also noted for showing good resistance to fruit fly compared with many other chillies.
Its vigorous perennial habit makes Rocoto an excellent container plant where sufficient space is provided, and mature plants can become highly productive.
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
Heat: Medium to very hot – approximately 100,000–300,000 SHU
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Best in cooler highland locations
Subtropics: Late winter to spring, with protection from extreme summer heat
Mild climates: Spring to early summer
Cold climates: Start under protection in late winter to spring and transplant after frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into trays or pots and keep consistently moist. Rocoto seed can be slower to germinate than many common chillies, so allow several weeks for emergence.
Transplant once seedlings are sturdy and frost risk has passed, spacing approximately 60–100 cm apart or growing individually in large containers. Choose a fertile, well-drained position with good moisture and protection from severe heat.
Allow fruits to ripen from green to bright red for their fullest flavour and mature heat. Plants can live and crop for several years where protected from frost and extreme conditions.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
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