Serrano Chilli ( Capsicum annuum var. Serrano ) are a Mexican variety that is used in many of the hotter Mexican dishes we know and love. The Serrano Chilli is normally eaten or used while it is still green and looks like a small Jalapeno, but is quite a lot hotter. They are perfect for making spicy salsa and sauces but are also great fried or roasted. Chillies have become quite expensive at the supermarkets today, fortunately it is not a difficult plant to grow at home. Chillies ripen from green to red as they mature on the plant. Green chillies are milder in heat and often used raw. The red chillies have more heat and commonly used in making curries. The dishes Chillies can be added to are endless, soups; salads; stir fries; sauces; pastes; marinades and of course; as a dried spice, are just a few common ones. Click here to view our other chilli varieties. Scoville Heat Units (SHU) – 10,000-25,000 Growth Serrano Chilli plants usually grow to around 70-90 cm’s tall, although can get much larger in warmer climates or if ‘overwintered’ in cooler climates. The chilli’s themselves average to around 3-5 cm’s long and are usually harvested while they are green; they can of course be left to ripen to red and this will make them hotter. Chillies can be grown in pots, and this is preferable in cooler climates. The species name for this chilli is annuum; meaning yearly or annual, however; in tropical climates where they thrive, they can live for many years and grow quite large. In climates where temperatures get to below 12°C / 60°F they will die back and depending on how cold your climate gets; may grow back once the weather warms, but very often over winter will die. If you want them to survive over winter, they are best taken indoors and kept in a warm, sunny room. Overwintering It is best to cut your chilli plant back and treat with Neem Oil prior to taking it indoors, unless you are going to provide artificial light and humidity. The Chilli plant will likely go dormant, so be careful not to over water and rot the roots, they just need to survive (hibernate) over the winter and will grow back once the sunnier, warmer weather returns. Of course, if you can provide a greenhouse environment with heating and artificial light, you may continue to harvest; but this is time consuming and costly for most gardeners. It is worth noting that Chilli’s varieties will cross pollinate with each other, so if you are wanting to grow a specific variety of chilli – DO NOT grow other types nearby and hope neighbours within a 100-metre radius don’t have another variety either; because they will not stay true to type if cross pollination occurs. We always recommend growing your food organically, so when fertilising or trying to keep pests under control, keep in mind that there are always organic options. Your body and family will thank you! Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record. FAMILY: Solanaceae CLIMATE: Cold to Tropical TEMPERATURE RANGE: 12 to 40°C / 54 to 86°F SOIL TYPE: Compost, nutrient rich soil, that must be well draining. LOCATION: Full sun, afternoon shade in hot summer to prevent leaf burn. HEIGHT: Up to 90 cm’s (3 feet) – can grow larger if in ideal climate. WIDTH: Up to 70 cm’s (2.6 feet) pH: 6.0-6.8 GROWTH TYPE: Technically it is a perennial plant but usually grown as an annual. WATER REQUIREMENTS: Medium POLLINATION: Bisexual flowers. Pollinated by Bees and other insects. MATURITY: Average 10-12 weeks GERMINATION RATES: 95% GERMINATION TIME: 7-14 days GERMINATION DIFFICULTY: Easy SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 150 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: Yes WEED POTENTIAL: No EDIBLE: Yes SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY: Store at 4°C/39.2°F (fridge) for up to 2 years. FACTS ABOUT CAPSICUM ANNUUM (Chillies) Chillies originated from South & Central America and Mexico and were spread around the world by what is now known as the ‘Columbian Exchange’. The Columbian exchange were Spanish and Portuguese traders, named after Christopher Columbus, who introduced plants, animals and technology around the world in the 15th and 16th centuries. The health benefits of chill’s are numerous; they have qualities that can provide natural pain relief; heart health; can aid in prostate cancers and even make you live longer! Pepper spray that is used by law enforcement, contains the hottest chillies in the world like Carolina Reapers & Moruga Scorpions! This is not a new use of chillies; history shows chilli has been used as a weapon possibly as far back as 1000 BC!
