Chile Tepín
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Capsicum annuum var. aviculare
The Tepin Pepper, also known as Chile Tepin, Chile Pequin, Chiltepin, Chile Petin, Bird Pepper, Turkey Pepper, and Cayenne Pepper, is native to the Sonoran Desert in the Southwest of the USA, bordering Mexico, parts of Texas and Arizona, and in Central and South America. It is considered the original form of today's cultivated chili varieties.
Due to its elaborate harvesting process, this chili variety is challenging to cultivate commercially and is considered one of the world's most expensive spices. It typically grows to about 1 cm and has a round to tapered red fruit. The Tepin pepper plant usually grows up to 120 cm in the wild, under the shade of trees. However, cultivated plants tend to be smaller and require a more extended maturation period of up to 200 days, making them suitable for harvesting on a warm windowsill in winter.
The Tepin pepper has been used for over 9000 years and is considered sacred in many Native American tribes. Despite its relatively low Scoville rating, the spiciness is immediately noticeable upon ingestion and dissipates quickly, leaving an intense sensation in the mouth for a short period.
Height: 2'
Spread: 2'
Bloom: May-November
Light: Full sun, Part Sun, Full Shade
Water: Low
Zone: 8, 9
Origin: Texas, Southwest & Mexico
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
