The right care of pre-1827 heirloom variety cayenne peppers will let you enjoy classic heat and spice. These nightshades like warm temperatures, high humidity, and up to 12 hours a day of sunlight. Use well-draining soil and water them at the root zone often enough to stay moist. Yellow leaves are a sign that the soil is either too soggy or too dry. Mulch will help with soil and temperature management.

Many pests like cayenne peppers as much as you, including aphids, cutworms, pepper weevils, spider mites and snails. As for diseases, monitor your plants for signs of powdery mildew, blossom-end rot, bacterial leaf spot and blight. Keep your growing area clean to minimize risk and use the proper control methods.

We recommend starting these peppers indoors to extend the growing season, especially in northern zones. Sow your pepper seeds a quarter-inch deep in flats or cell trays 8-10 weeks before the final expected spring frost. Maintain moist soil at temperatures of 75-85 degrees and use grow lights to provide brightness. Cayenne peppers are hungry from an early age, so along with a rich seed-starting mix, consider applying a quarter-strength liquid fertilizer every 7-10 days.

Once the last spring frost is past, transplant your seedlings into an outdoor in-ground garden or raised bed. Space the seedlings 18-24 inches apart with rows 2-4 feet apart for access. Before transplanting, pinch off any early flowers or fruit, as this will spur larger growth later. Consider row covers early in the season as a safeguard against an unexpected frost or cold snap.

Heirloom peppers are great container plants, giving you location flexibility. Use a pot with drainage holes that is at least 12 inches tall and wide to fit the root system. Fill them with a well-draining all-purpose or vegetable potting soil.

The hunger of cayenne peppers continues throughout their growing cycle. Amend the soil with compost or manure when planting, then apply a fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Start with a balanced fertilizer; when flowering begins, shift to a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus for fruit production. Water-soluble fertilizers should be diluted to half-strength and sprayed at the root zone. Do soil testing and adjust your fertilization schedule based on the results.

Cayenne peppers can be grown as perennials in warm and tropical climates, going dormant over the winter and re-blooming the following year. Once you’re done harvesting for the season, cut the plants until they are about six inches from the ground and reduce watering. In colder regions, cayenne heirlooms should be grown as annuals.

Apart from the winter cut-back, the only pruning necessary is to remove dead, damaged or diseased leaves and stems immediately. This will keep problems from spreading and free up resources for healthy growth.

On average, heirloom varieties are ready to start harvesting about 70 days after sowing. Hot peppers should be about six inches long with a wrinkled texture. Use a knife, shears or another sharp tool to cut the peppers at the stem. Harvesting often will help the remaining peppers grow faster. Pick them when green for a milder spice or bright red for heavy heat.