In 2007, the ghost pepper (Bhut Jolokia) was named the world’s hottest pepper by Guinness World Records when it scored 1,041,427 SHU. Today, there are many different types of ghost peppers that come in a variety of colors, heat levels and flavors. Learn about these varieties and how to grow Bhut Jolokia.

The ghost chili pepper has many names including “Bhut Jolokia,” “Naga Morich,” “Red Naga Chili,” “Naga Jolokia,” “U-Morok” and “Bih Jolokia.” You might be surprised to find that the red ghost pepper is just one version of the Bhut Jolokia.
Ghost chillies come in many different shades. (For example, there’s a white ghost pepper.) Even more, each Ghost variety has differences — besides color — in heat level and taste.
Once you select ghost pepper varieties, be sure to check out the grow guide in this post so that you know how to grow ghost pepper plants. Whether you’re a fan of the Bhut Jolokia or looking to expand your pepper garden, I hope you get a lot of value from this post.

Bhut Jolokia Pronunciation
Here’s how the Bhut Jolokia pepper is commonly pronounced:
Boot · Joe · Low · Key · Uh
Some people place the emphasis on the “Low,” while others do this on the “Key” portion.
Ghost Pepper Scoville
The ghost pepper ranks at 1,041,427 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) at the top end of the scale. For comparison, the Carolina Reaper Scoville is hotter at 2.2 million SHU. As for the Ghost pepper vs Habanero, the ghost pepper Scoville level is three times hotter.
What makes the Ghost pepper Scoville rating unique is that it was the first to register over 1,000,000 SHU. This definitely puts this chile in the hottest peppers on earth category.
Some other super hot peppers that rank over 1 million Scovilles include the Infinity chili (1,250,000 SHU), Trinidad Scorpion “Butch T” (1,463,700 SHU) and Chocolate Bhutlah (~2,000,000 SHU).
For more comparisons, a bell pepper has 0 SHU, and the habanero pepper Scoville is 350,000 SHU. And to really answer the question, How hot are Ghost peppers, you can see how this pepper ranks with different chilies in the chart below.

» Related: Carolina Reaper vs Ghost Pepper | Hottest Peppers in the World
About Ghost Pepper Plants
Hailing from Northeast India, the name “Bhut Jolokia” literally translates to “Ghost Pepper.” The ghost is a perennial plant that produces long, teardrop-shaped pods that can take up to 6 months to fully mature.
So what does this chile taste like? The ghost pepper flavor tends to have a smoky, earthy taste with a somewhat fruity aftertaste. I’ve read that the heat lasts about 15 minutes, but in my experience, it’s more like 30 minutes!
Ghost Pepper Plant Size
Ghost chili plants can grow up to 4 feet (1.22 meters) high. (In containers, they may only go up to 2 feet.) Further, they typically have a spread between 1 and 2 feet (0.30 and 0.61 meters).
You can generally expect orange to red peppers that are 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) wide and 2 to 3 inches (5.08 to 7.62 cm) long. If you’re growing a different ghost pepper variety, these measurements and colors can vary as you’ll see below.
What Color Are Ghost Peppers?
Ghost peppers start off green and turn red when fully ripe. The ghost chilli plant, however, comes in many variations. For example, varieties include the yellow ghost pepper, chocolate ghost pepper and other shades like peach, purple, orange, white and green.

Besides color, you may be wondering about the differences in flavor and spice level. As you’ll see, Bhut Jolokia varieties do have some differences.
» Related: 30 Places to Buy Pepper Seeds Online (Ghost Peppers & More)
Grow Hot Peppers is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a monetary commission. Learn more.
Red Ghost Pepper

The red ghost pepper is definitely the most widely-known Bhut Jolokia. Other names for this variety include Naga Jolokia and Bih Jolokia.
The red ghost chile typically grows between 2.5 to 3.5 inches (6.35 to 8.89 cm) long. The long, pendant-shaped pods typically have a bumpy texture. And, like most chillies, red bhuts start off green before officially turning red.
This red pepper is one of the hottest ghost chillies. And, the flavor is somewhat smokey with a slightly fruity aftertaste.
Green Ghost Pepper

The green ghost pepper — the immature version of the red ghost — has a somewhat grassy flavor with fruity and floral notes. These green peppers don’t have the same immediate heat level as the red, but the potency builds (and stays) as you eat them.
Yellow Ghost Pepper

The yellow ghost pepper is an organic relative of the red variety. In fact, the yellow variation was discovered as a natural variant in the US. It’s not a hybrid!
As far as taste, the yellow ghost is similar to the red. Pods ripen from green to yellow.
Some say the yellow ghost pepper is not as hot as the red. Despite this, you’ll find it’s hotter than other spicy chillies like the fatalii.
Peach Ghost Pepper

The peach Bhut Jolokia is another natural mutation of the red ghost pepper. This plant grows longer pendant pods than other bhuts. The average length of the peach ghost pepper is usually around 4 inches (10.16 cm), and the largest gets to be about 6 inches (15.24 cm).
Pods start off green and then end up a beautiful pinkish, peach color. If you leave them on the vine, they have the potential to turn orange.
And while peach bhut jolokias are just as hot as the red ghost, you’ll discover they tend to have a balanced, fruity aftertaste.
Purple Ghost Pepper

The purple ghost pepper grows smaller pods than other Bhut Jolokia varieties. Some chillies may start off as a deep purple and eventually turn red if left on the vine. Others may start off green and then turn purple before going red.
Notes on purple color:
- The pods have to be exposed to direct sun to turn purple.
- Some purple ghost pepper pods may never end up purple. They’ll start off green and turn red like a traditional red ghost pepper.
Although these types of peppers carry the same flavor profile associated with the Bhut Jolokia, they are not as hot. The purple ghost pepper is said to be comparable to the heat of an orange habanero.
Chocolate Ghost Pepper

The chocolate ghost pepper is another organic offspring of the red ghost pepper.
This variety has a notoriously long germination time (in some instances 6 weeks), but it’s worth it due to its delicious, smoky flavor. They are also very aromatic!
You’ll find the chocolate ghost pepper has the same heat as red ghost, but it has a distinctively sweet aftertaste.
Orange Ghost Pepper

Of all the ghost peppers out there, the orange ghost pepper is the most prolific grower. The heat level of the orange ghost is similar to that of the red ghost pepper. And, the citrus-like flavor is more pronounced making the orange ghost pepper a popular choice for hot sauce.
The orange Bhut Jolokia variety is great for container growing because the plants tend to grow smaller. Another distinctive feature is that these ghost chillies often produce smoother pods. In fact, they seem to have the appearance of long habaneros.
White Ghost Pepper

The white ghost pepper is a rare variety and a natural variant of the Red Bhut Jolokia. These peppers ripen to off-white color and are smooth without the usual bumps on the skin. This intriguing white Bhut Jolokia variety is a heavy producer of pods that have a slightly citrus flavor with lots of heat.
These white Ghost Pepper plants have the potential to grow over 3 feet (0.91 meters) tall. Depending on where you get your seeds, some pods go from creamy white to red, while others stay white. This is another highly sought-after variety for making white hot sauce.
Growing Ghost Peppers Indoors
This section describes how to your start your pepper seeds indoors and then grow your ghost pepper plants outside in pots.
At-A-Glance Growing Reference

Necessary Garden Supplies
Before you start, you’ll need these items.
- Ghost pepper seeds
- Seed starter kit (or use your own containers, growing tray and cover)
- Plant heat mat (essential)
- Seed-starting mix (or use another growing media)
- Plant labels
- Indoor grow light (here’s an article about lights in case you need it)
- Fertilizer (this is my favorite organic recommendation, but you have a lot of options)
- Pot (at least a 5-gallon container for growing outside)
- Potting soil mix (this is my go-to mix, but you’ll see what to look for in a potting soil below)
» Related: Recommended Pepper Growing Supplies & Chilehead Favorites
How To Start Ghost Pepper Seeds
Ghost pepper seeds can take a few weeks to germinate, and the plants need a long growing season (around 5 months). You’ll definitely want plenty of time to start your seeds.
This means you should begin about 8 to 12 weeks before the last expected frost in your area. Some varieties, like the chocolate ghost pepper, can take even longer to sprout. Keep that in mind when picking a planting date.
Germination Techniques
To germinate your seeds, you can sow seeds under a shallow layer of growing media like seed-starting soil mix. Alternately, you can sprout them much quicker in a baggie.
To clarify, I recommend using the baggie method because it speeds things up. More importantly, it also tests the seeds for viability, which tells you if they can grow under suitable conditions.
If you’re still having problems germinating your ghost pepper seeds, here are some other options for getting them to sprout.

Use Heat
Ghost pepper plants, like other chile varieties, need hot and humid conditions to germinate. The key here is to keep the soil warmed between 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (27 to 32 degrees Celsius).
A plant heat mat with temperature controller gives you total control over your growing temperature. Optionally, you can just use the heat mat to warm your pepper seeds.
Ghost chillies typically become seedlings in 30 days. If you sprout them in a baggie, you’ll likely get quicker results.
» Related: How to Care for Pepper Seedlings after Seeds Sprout
Using An Indoor Grow Light
After germination, your ghost pepper plants need light. Using a grow lamp makes things easier.
Make sure you know how far away your lamp should be from the tops of your plants. This information comes from the grow light manual and/or from the manufacturer’s website. In many cases, the height is no more than 4 inches away, however, some LED lights need to be positioned 12 inches (30.48cm) or more.
Keep your young peppers underneath an indoor plant light at least 16 hours a day. Popular grow light options include fluorescent lamps, such as a T5, and LED.

Watering Recommendations
Ghost pepper seedlings are sensitive to too much hydration just like other hot chillies.
You’ll likely get advice like “water so the growing media is moist, but not drenched.”
Well, that’s difficult to gauge when you’re just starting out. (It’s tricky even for people who have done this more than a few times!)
That’s why I recommend the bottom-watering method for a safer way to hydrate your plants.
And, if you see mold developing on top (looks like a light, gray film), you know things are getting too wet.
You can scrape off this mold with a toothpick, sprinkle cinnamon on top of the mix (it has antifungal properties) and then run a small fan in the direction of your chillies for better airflow.

Potting Up
Once your ghost peppers have at least four leaves, transfer seedlings to a larger pot. This is also a good time to start fertilizing your seedlings.
Bhut jolokia are generally transferred two or three times before they go outside.
If this is your first time growing ghost peppers, be sure to check out The Pepper Seed Starting Guide. This ebook walks you through all the steps of starting your pepper seedlings indoors and growing them into strong plants that are ready for the outside.
How To Grow Ghost Peppers Outside
Ghost peppers grow well when temperatures are at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
You can prepare your peppers to go outside around the 8 week mark, when plants are about 4 inches (10.16 cm) tall and the last threat of frost has passed. The process of hardening off your ghost seedlings is a controlled, systematic way in which you toughen them up so they aren’t shocked when they go outside.
To sum up, this is a two-week process: indoors and outdoors. During the first week, point a small fan at your seedlings for 15 minutes the first day.
Each day, thereafter, increase the amount of time the fan runs (for instance, 30 minutes the second day, 45 minutes the third and so on.)
For the last week, place your ghost plants in a shady, outdoor spot and leave them out for 15 minutes. Increase the amount of direct sunshine and outdoor time each day just like you did with the indoor phase. On the last day, leave your seedlings outside one whole day and night.
Selecting A Pot
Before getting a pot ready, make sure that the last potential frost has passed. Sorry to be repetitive, but I don’t want you to lose your pepper plants!
Ghost peppers need room to grow so select a larger pot that’s at least 12 inches (30.48 cm) in diameter (5-gallons or more). You’ll also need something that has holes in the bottom for drainage.
Grow bags are an excellent choice for better airflow. These pots are made out of fabric, which encourages “air pruning” of roots. The benefits are pepper roots won’t become “root bound,” and they can better absorb water and nutrients.
Another common option is a 5-gallon bucket. Just be sure to drill holes on the bottom and around the lower circumference of the container.
(Note: You may wonder how far apart to plant ghost peppers if you decide at some point to grow them in a raised bed or directly in the ground. In this case, space them out between 1.5 to 2 feet [0.46 to 0.61 meters] to give them plenty of room to spread out.)

Potting Soil
The best potting soil mix for your ghost pepper plants is going to be nutrient-rich, well-draining and in the pH range of 6.0 – 6.8. When growing peppers in pots, use a potting soil for container vegetables so that it provides the right airflow and water drainage.
A large soil bag (1.5 cu ft) typically fills about two 5-gallon planters. If you have different sized containers, here’s a handy soil calculator for pots and raised beds that tells you how much soil you need.
» Related: The Best Organic Soil Mix for Hot Peppers in Pots
Sun
A full sun location is the best spot for your pepper plants. Ghost chillies need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Make sure your pots aren’t blocked by anything for best results.
How To Care For Ghost Pepper Plants
Below, are some tips for the ongoing care of your plants while they’re outdoors.
Watering Plants
Keep your potting soil moist so that your ghost peppers have what they need to grow and fruit.
Start with a weekly watering. (You may need to adjust this to biweekly if it’s especially dry in your location.) Water the top of the mix until the water runs out of the bottom of the pot.
Here are some more watering tips:
- The top 2 inches (5.08 cm) should be dry before watering again.
- Water in the evenings when the sun goes down or in the early morning. (You don’t want any water splashing on your plants and inadvertently causing them to get sunscald.)
- It helps to pick up your pot after it’s been watered to get a feel for it’s weight. This weight test gives you another way of telling when the soil is dry.
» Related: Watering Pepper Plants in Pots (+ Bottom Watering Plants Printout)
Ghost Pepper Fertilizer
You have a lot of options when it comes to feeding your ghost chillies. For outdoor peppers, they need less nitrogen and more phosphorous and potassium so they flower and fruit.
I’ve always had the best results with fish and seaweed fertilizer. It’s stinky but really effective! I also add amendments to meet the plant’s nutritional needs.
As another option, you can use this fertilizer trio by Fox Farm. This group of liquid nutrients is designed to support all of the different stages of your ghost pepper plants.

» Related – Fertilizing Pepper Plants: This Is What You Need to Grow Lots of Chillies
Watching For Pests and Disease
You don’t want to go to all the trouble of growing ghost peppers only to see them get damaged by bugs or disease.
Use these key practices:
- Apply mulch to keep the moisture in and prevent weeds
- Use beneficial insects as a natural guard against the harmful bugs
- Spray your plants with a blast of water in the evenings to knock of any bugs or eggs
- Here are more practices for managing pests and disease
Here’s my go-to preventative measure for bugs:
- This DIY organic pesticide with neem oil gets rid of pests without chemicals. Besides outside plants, I use this natural pesticide when starting pepper seeds to prevent fungus gnats.
Need help keeping your pepper plants healthy?
Learn to treat pests, vitamin deficiencies and other common pepper plant problems with this illustrated ebook. It’ll help you take action before things get out of hand!
Ghost Pepper Plant Flowering
A frustrating (and common) situation has to do with ghost pepper flowers. What happens is your plant may start dropping buds, or you’ll see flowers and no fruit.
» Related: Common Issues With Pepper Plant Flowers
The usual culprit is the weather. When temperatures get hotter than about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) you usually won’t get any chillies.
In this case, give your plants some shade until the temperatures go back down. You can simply move your potted ghost peppers to a more covered area, or use a shade cloth (Amazon link) to give them some relief.
When Are Ghost Peppers Ready To Pick?
It feels amazing when you get to start picking chillies! As a general guide, ghost peppers are ready when they turn their mature color.
(Note: Ghost chillies can stay green for a really long time before they ripen. It’s frustrating, but they’ll eventually turn.)
Before you harvest, make sure you’re wearing gloves to protect yourself from the burn. Yep, they’re spicy to the touch.
You can use time as another factor in when to pick. Ghost peppers generally take anywhere from 4 to 6 months to fully mature after going outside.
Another way to know when to pick peppers is by looking at the size of the pods. In general, ghost chillies measure 2.5 to 3.5 inches (6.35 to 8.89 cm) long and 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 cm) wide at maturity.
I typically harvest the peppers that I’m ready to eat. If you plan to do the same, you can leave them out on the counter for a few days. Alternately, Ghost chillies can go in the refrigerator, but they tend to get mushy after awhile.
Lastly, if you’re picking a bunch of peppers at one time and you don’t intend on using them right away, simply freeze them. Place your Ghost peppers in a sealable baggie or container, and grab them when you’re ready.

Using Your Ghost Peppers
You can use Bhut Jolokia peppers in many ways. (Ghost pepper gummy bears anyone?) Two popular options include super hot powders and sauces.
Ghost Pepper Powder
To make ghost pepper powder, simply dehydrate your chillies and then grind them up. You can use the powder as is, or mix it with your favorite seasonings.
I use a dehydrator to dry out the peppers until they are hard to the touch. Your dehydrator will give you recommended settings, such as the time and temperature, necessary to process your chillies.
You can use a mortar and pestle to grind up your peppers, but I much prefer a grinder like the magic bullet. For me, the ghost chili fumes are just too intense when hand grinding!
Keep in mind:
- Ghost peppers are incredibly potent! Wear gloves, goggles and a mask to protect yourself.
- The fumes are intense when dehydrating these chillies. Make sure you have great airflow. Or, better yet, use your dehydrator in a garage or other separate area so your whole household doesn’t start choking.
- Designate a grinder (if you use one) for just super hot chillies. If you attempt to use the same device for coffee or something else, you’re gonna get a mouthful of heat!
Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce
Ghost pepper sauces are incredibly popular and there are multiple ways and unlimited recipes to make them.
If you’re just starting out, you can use a hot sauce kit like this to try it out. Besides recipes, this kit has everything you need to create your own batches of hot sauce including bottles, funnels and pH strips.
And, even the ghost pepper is included. You can do a test run with the included peppers in the kit, or substitute your own ghost chillies from the start. 🙂

» Related – Hot Sauce: Ranking 11 Sauces on the Scoville Scale
Finding Ghost Pepper Plants For Sale
I know we just covered how to grow the Bhut Jolokia, but stuff happens. Maybe you didn’t start your seeds in time, or you just want a heck of a lot more plants than you thought!
If you don’t find ghost pepper plants at your local nursery or farmer’s market, be sure to check out Etsy.
This online marketplace has a lot of great sellers who offer all kinds of plants besides the usual red ghost pepper plant. You’ll likely start seeing a great selection around March, if not a bit sooner.
And besides plants, you can also get ghost pepper seeds, pods, sauces and more. It’s my favorite resource for finding super hot chillies and the harder-to-find pepper varieties.
Common Ghost Pepper Plant Questions
Are ghost pepper plants perennials?
Yes, they are. If you prune and winterize them, your ghost pepper plants will survive the colder months and come back next year.
How long do ghost pepper plants live?
It’s hard to give a definitive answer, but many ghost pepper plants can live a few years or more with proper care.
Are ghost pepper plant leaves edible?
Yes. You can lightly sauté or steam them. They are similar to spinach in consistency and flavor.
Why isn’t my ghost pepper plant producing fruit?
Issues like watering, fertilizing and weather are common reasons why your plant isn’t producing. Here’s a post that offers potential reasons and solutions for stunted pepper plants.
How long do ghost peppers take to ripen?
Fully ripe ghost chillies, from seeds to harvest, usually develop in 160 days.
I hope this article helps you produce some delicious and hot chillies! As you’ll see, ghost pepper plants are worth the time and effort. Happy growing! 🙂
Related Posts
- Carolina Reaper: All About the Hottest Pepper [+ Germination Video]
- Scotch Bonnet vs Habanero: Revealing 3 Key Differences in This Spicy Family
- Chocolate Bhutlah: Is it Hotter Than the Carolina Reaper?
- Growing Peppers from Seed to Harvest – The Ultimate Guide
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: Scoville Seeds & Pepper Grow Guide
Hi there!
I love your website, lots of useful tips. Especially about Ghost Pepper. I have a White Ghost Pepper, last year I had it under growing light among the other plants. The plants leaf started to curl upwards and look dry and I did not understand anything.
The other plant hade no problem. I tried to figure it out what the problem was, I adjusted the light further away no change.
After a while I saw a video, an Australian guy ho hade a Ghost Pepper with other chili plants, lots of sun. all the other plant gave flower and fruit but not the Ghost Pepper.
He was wondering what caused the plant not flowering and gave fruits? He came up with an idea, maybe it’s too much light (Sun).
He moved the plant to the other side of the house where it got only 6-hour Sun and rest of the time in the shade and as a magic finger it started to be flowering and gave fruits
I was thinking, maybe my plant does not like too much and for too long time direct light. I moved it to the window seal (southeast) and a suddenly all new leaf came out beautifully.
I tried this year again to check whether it was a coincident last year, but it turned out that the same thing happened again, so I moved it to the window seal and now, 10-14 inch high with a small led-light and the natural sun and daylight it’s the most beautiful pepper plant I have, already 7 pods and very bushy!
I also use Fish emulsion, love it and Worm Cast, Bone Meal and Bat Guano!
Pitty there is now function to add pictures so you can see! Keep up the good work, great website!
Hi Peter, thanks for your comment! Yep, light is one of the first things I look at when it comes to curling leaves. In fact, I’m dealing with this now as some of my plants want that full blast of light and others just don’t. It’s really great that you starting experimenting like that. And, I’m really glad you like the site! 😀 Happy growing! 🌶
Thanks for the awesome tips! I just started growing my first red ghost pepper (bought a plant from the store) and it’s growing nicely!
Happy Growing,
Ashley
Hi Ashley! I’m glad you’re enjoying the tips and happy to hear about your ghost pepper plant is doing well! 😀