Tepin / Chiltepin Chili Seeds

Information: The tepin or chiltepin pepper is thought to be the archetype of the chili pepper, today it is primarily found in the Sonora Desert (North Mexico), as well as in Texas and Arizona. The name can be traced all the way back to the language of the Aztecs, where it meant “flea chili”. The use of tepin peppers as a spice and medicinal substance dates back over 9,000 years. Even today, the berries of this wild plant are still laboriously harvested by hand, making the chiltepin pepper one of the most expensive spices in the world.

The tepin chili is a perennial bush, which produces large numbers of pea-sized, hot, red berries. You’ll need green fingers to cultivate this plant, beginners would be better advised to start off with a different species. The small, red berries grow upright, they are full of flavour and very hot. They are usually used in their dried form, when they can be crushed and added to sauces, stews and meat dishes.

Care: Germination temperature is between 24°C  and 30°C (germination period: 12-28 days); it is therefore recommended to use a greenhouse and a heating mat. The plants need fresh, well-fertilised, permeable soil, and do not tolerate waterlogging. They should be placed in a sunny, protected place with at least 6 hours of sunlight - preferably more. As the plants have a particularly long maturation period, it is recommended to grow them in a pot, so that you can easily bring the plants inside when the temperature falls below 12°C during the day, allowing all the fruits to ripen. To keep the plant over the winter, cut it back by 20cm after harvesting and place in a light place where it is at least 15°C.

You can find plenty of useful tips for successfully growing chili plants in our Chili Growing Guide and in the Chili Journal.