Tabasco
Fermented Sauce Hero

Tabasco Chilli Plug Plant

Tabasco Chilli Plug Plant

The classic kick, homegrown:Heat Level: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Tabasco chilli is a renowned classic, famous not only for its role in the iconic Louisiana hot sauce but also for its vibrant and versatile character.

Given enough space and sunlight, Tabasco plants can reach up to a metre tall, making them a striking addition to any garden or pot. These plants are prolific producers, yielding an impressive array of small, explosive pods that deliver a distinctive, tangy heat.

Tabasco chillies have their roots in Mexico, but their fame has spread globally thanks to their association with the beloved hot sauce. The plants are attractive with their branching growth habit, producing a cascade of little pods that transition in colour from yellow to orange, and finally to a deep, fiery red.

With a heat level ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), they pack a punch while offering a unique and flavourful heat. Whether you're making your own hot sauce or adding a spicy kick to your dishes, Tabasco chillies are a must-have for any chilli enthusiast.

And what better gift to make (to yourself) or friends and family but homemade Tabasco Sauce.

Additional Information

▶ Species: Capsicum frutescens

▶ Heat Level: Medium to hot – typically ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Tangy, clean heat with a distinctive character.

▶ Growth Habit: Upright and branching, often reaching up to 1 metre tall. A striking, architectural plant that stands out in a greenhouse or patio pot.

▶ Fruit Appearance: Small, glossy pods that ripen from pale yellow to orange, then vivid red. Grown upright on the plant for easy picking.

▶ Flavour Profile: Bright, tangy, and sharp. The classic flavour behind Tabasco sauce – ideal for fermenting, sauces, or adding zip to stews and soups.

▶ Fruiting Time: Fast to fruit with consistent cropping throughout the season. Benefits from warmth and regular feeding.

▶ Growing Conditions: Prefers a large pot or greenhouse bed in full sun. Requires warmth, good drainage, and steady watering. Easy to manage and high yielding.

▶ How to Grow Chillies: My free 28-page booklet, "How to Grow Chillies," is included with every plant or seed order to guide you through a successful growing season.

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.

UK Company No. 07860204.
VAT reg. 223126942

▶ 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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