Seeds, Pepper, LD Reel Hot

Pepper, LD Reel Hot
(Capsicum annuum)

LD Reel Hot Pepper is a productive heirloom-style hot pepper known for its strong heat, smooth texture, and dependable yields. Producing slender, tapered fruits that ripen from green to vibrant red, this variety brings bold flavor and reliable performance to summer gardens. Ideal for fresh salsas, drying, hot sauces, and seasoning, it’s a versatile staple for growers who appreciate real heat.

Key Characteristics

• Bold, Clean Heat
  LD Reel Hot delivers a pronounced, lingering spice without overpowering bitterness. Use fresh in salsas and stir-fries, or dry and grind into homemade chili powder. The heat level makes it suitable for cooks who want strong but balanced spice.
• Productive, Uniform Plants
  Compact yet vigorous plants set multiple fruits over a long harvest window. With regular picking, plants continue flowering and producing throughout the warm season.
• Excellent for Drying & Preserving
  Thin-walled fruits dry efficiently, making them ideal for stringing, dehydrating, or grinding into flakes. Mature red peppers can also be fermented into hot sauces or pickled for long-term storage.
• Warm-Season Garden Performer
  Thrives in heat and full sun. Performs best in compost-rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture during flowering and fruit set.

Product Details

• Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum
• Native Range: Central & South America (widely cultivated)
• Plant Life Cycle: Annual
• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Medium, fertile, well-drained
• Mature Height: 18–30 inches
• Bloom Time: June–August
• Bloom Color: White
• Days to Maturity: ~70–80 days (green), ~85–95 days (red ripe)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as an annual in zones 3–10

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures consistently reach 65–70°F. Provide steady watering and avoid excessive nitrogen to encourage fruit production over leaf growth. In permaculture systems, plant peppers in warm microclimates such as south-facing beds or near reflective surfaces to maximize heat accumulation.

LD Reel Hot Pepper offers reliable productivity and serious heat—an essential addition for gardeners who grow their own spice.

These seeds come from the Appalachian Seed Growers Collective, a regional network of farmers dedicated to growing and sharing seeds adapted to the Southern Appalachian climate and rooted in seed sovereignty and crop diversity. These varieties have been grown and saved in place by local growers to thrive in your garden while supporting resilient, locally-grown food systems.