Moruga
Slow Burn from Trinidad

Moruga Chilli Plug Plant

Moruga Chilli Plug Plant

Tropical heat with a venomous bite:Heat Level: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Red Moruga Trinidad Scorpion Chilli is renowned for its blistering heat and unique flavour profile. With pods recorded at over two million Scoville Units, it has secured its place among the world's hottest chillies. This formidable chilli is a hybrid of two Trinidadian parents: the Moruga and the Trinidad Scorpion, both celebrated for their intense heat.

In the 2011 trials conducted by the Chilli Pepper Institute, the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion topped the charts, not only for the hottest single pod but also for the highest mean average heat level, making it a true powerhouse in the chilli world.

Despite its intimidating heat, the Red Moruga Trinidad Scorpion is known for its complex flavour. It offers a surprisingly fruity and slightly sweet taste that quickly gives way to an intense and lingering burn. This dual nature—flavour and fire—makes it a favourite among those who appreciate the intricate nuances of superhot chillies.

The pods are large, rounded, and have a pimpled surface that adds to their distinctive and somewhat menacing appearance. They mature from green to a vibrant red, signalling their readiness to unleash their fiery power.

Growing the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion can be a rewarding experience for chilli enthusiasts. The plants are relatively easy to cultivate and produce a good number of pods, provided they have a warm environment. A greenhouse, conservatory, or sunny windowsill is recommended for optimal growth.

These plants are not just about heat; they are about experiencing the full spectrum of what a chilli can offer—intense heat coupled with an intriguing flavour. If you're ready to test your limits and add a truly extraordinary chilli to your collection, the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion is a must-try.

Additional Information

Species: Capsicum chinense

Heat Level: Extreme, with pods recorded at over 2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU)

Vigorous Growth: Medium-sized, bushy plants reaching up to 90 cm. Needs a warm, sunny environment to produce well

Fruit Appearance: Large, rounded pods with a pimpled texture, ripening from green to a fiery red

Flavour Profile: Fruity and slightly sweet, with a slow-building burn that lingers and intensifies

Uses: Great for hot sauces, marinades, and fiery dishes where you want flavour as well as serious heat. Use fresh or dried

Growing Conditions: Thrives in sunny, sheltered locations like greenhouses, conservatories, or south-facing windowsills

Origin: Developed in Trinidad—a cross between Moruga and Trinidad Scorpion chillies

How to Grow Chillies: My free 28-page booklet, "How to Grow Chillies," is included with every plant or seed order

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 and happy in a pot (5). Others shoot off in all directions or sulk. (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 . Others are more practical than pretty. This score is just about how good they look.

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!

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.

5. Culinary Use: This one’s about how often I actually use them. Some are perfect for pickling, others for stuffing, sauces or powders. If it’s flavourful and versatile, it scores high.

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