The cultivar, ‘Zimbabwe Bird’ is a compact perennial with multiple flowers located at top of stalks. Leaves tend to be oval, smooth and about 2 inches tall. Fruit tend to be very small and very hot. Fruit color is red when mature. C. frutescens are tabasco peppers and are named for the town of their origin, Tabasco, Mexico. Take great care when dealing to use gloves when harvesting as this pepper tend to measure between 30,000 and 50,000 Scoville heat units.

Growing Fatcs…

Height:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)

Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Heat (Pungency):
Hot (5,000 to 30,000 Scoville Units)
Extremely Hot (above 30,000 Scoville Units)

Fruit Shape:
Round
Pear-shaped

Fruit Size:
Small (under 2″ in length)

Fruit Color:
Green changing to red

Seed Type:
Open-pollinated

Usage:
Fresh (salsa, salads)
Drying
Pickling

Other details:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Suitable for growing in containers

Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost

Seed Collecting:
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored

Days to Maturity:
Late (more than 80 days)