Pepper

Basic Information

Seed Number

207

Seed Name

Pepper

Variety

Brazilian Starfish

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Hot pepper (Capsicum baccatum)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Feb 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

February, March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Feb 10 – Mar 10

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

12 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

10–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

90–100 days from transplant

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-95°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

14-18 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun; 8-12 hours

Water Needs

Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging

Soil Preference

Fertile, compost-enriched, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

7–10+ gal with support

Plant Height

Not recorded

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Rare Seeds; University of Minnesota Extension; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors early; transplant after frost and warm nights
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 10
Germination Time: About 10–14 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 90–100 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 7–10+ gal with support
Pollinator Friendly: Self-pollinating; bees may improve fruit set
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary hot pepper
Perennial?: Tender perennial; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: One very early indoor sowing is best; isolate from other compatible peppers if saving pure seed.
Zone 6B Notes: Needs an early start in Zone 6B because maturity is late; transplant only when nights are warm.
Companion Plants: Basil, carrots, onions, lettuce and pollinator flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Long-season pepper that can become around 4–5 ft tall. Rotate away from other nightshades. Fruit is hot; wash hands after handling cut fruit/seeds.
Sources: Rare Seeds: https://www.rareseeds.com/pepper-hot-brazilian-starfish | University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-peppers | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Brazilian Starfish has a long 90-100 day maturity period, so start indoors 8-12 weeks before the May 5 frost date and transplant only after nights remain warm.
Germination: Germinates in approximately 10-14 days at 70-95°F.
Harvest: The unusual star-shaped fruits ripen from green to brilliant red. Fully mature fruit is juicy, sweet, floral and moderately hot.
Seed Saving: Capsicum baccatum can cross with compatible nearby baccatum peppers. Save seed from fully ripe red fruit.
Special Care: Brazilian Starfish generally ranges around 10,000-30,000 Scoville Heat Units, though individual fruit can vary.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/pepper-hot-brazilian-starfish — Capsicum baccatum identity, Brazilian origin, 90-100 day maturity, 10-14 day germination, 1/4-inch depth, 14-18 inch spacing, 70-95°F temperature, red ripe color, flavor and heat range
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]