Chang Rai
Thai-Style Heat Burst

Chang Rai Chilli Plug Plant

Chang Rai Chilli Plug Plant

Bold heat from Thailand: Heat Level: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

I tried growing Chang Rai for the first time in 2019 and knew pretty quickly that they would make a fabulous new addition to our Cooks Classics.

It was a markedly trouble-free plant, growing quickly to a large size, even in an 8-litre pot. My lovely looking plant produced more pods than any other I grew in the season, with the top of the plant dripping with long, pendant lime green chillies that ripened red.

The pods are of medium heat, very juicy, and have a great crunch. I loved them sprinkled raw over noodle soups, chilli con carne, salads, stir-fries, and just about everything else. The abundance of pods meant I had them regularly.

When green, they have a sharp capsicum flavour, and when red, they are sweeter and hotter. A great ‘dressing’ chilli that will always have a space reserved in my greenhouse.

If your interested in the top chillies to grow for picking when green, check out; The Best Green Chillies to Grow

Chang Rai is also featured in Chilli of the Week.

Additional Information

▶ Species: Capsicum annuum

▶ Heat Level: Medium – typically estimated at 15,000 to 30,000 Scoville Heat Units. Enough kick to lift a dish, without overpowering it.

▶ Vigorous Growth: Fast-growing and productive, even in containers. Reaches impressive size in an 8-litre pot, producing long, pendant pods in abundance.

▶ Fruit Appearance: Slender pods that ripen from lime green to bright red. Crisp, juicy texture makes them excellent for quick cooking or slicing fresh.

▶ Flavour Profile: Clean and sharp with a classic chilli brightness. Great for Thai-style stir-fries, noodles, and fresh dipping sauces.

▶ Growing Conditions: Thrives in sunny conditions with well-drained soil. Ideal for containers, raised beds, or greenhouse growing. Responds well to regular feeding.

▶ How to Grow Chillies: My free 28-page booklet, "How to Grow Chillies," is included with every plant or seed order to help you get the best from your crop.

Coir Blocks

Classic Hots

Record-breakers

Cooks' Collection

World of Chillies was set up by Sarah Hunt in 2011 to promote chilli growing and the enjoyment of everything hot and spicy.

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▶ 1. Easy to Grow: Some chillies are just a joy to grow — compact, reliable, and happy in a pot (5). Others shoot off in all directions or sulk at the first sign of wind (1). I’ve given higher scores to the ones that do well here in the UK.

▶ 2. Ornamental Quality: A few of these are real show-offs, with pods that look like jewels or dramatic foliage that turns heads. Others are more practical than pretty. This score is just about how good they look on the patio or in the greenhouse.

▶ 3. Heat Level: This isn’t a technical SHU score — it’s just a kitchen-friendly 1 to 5. A 1 means very mild (like a jalapeño), a 5 is properly hot (think Bhut Jolokia). It should help you judge what you’re in for!

▶ 4. Hardiness: How well do they cope with our unpredictable summers? I’ve given higher scores to the tough ones that keep going through cool nights, wind, or patchy weather without much fuss.

▶ 5. Culinary Use: This one’s about how often I actually use them. Some are perfect for pickling, stuffing or powders — others look good but don’t end up in many meals. If it’s flavourful and versatile, it scores high.

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