Pepper

Basic Information

Seed Number

3

Seed Name

Pepper

Variety

Dracula

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Ornamental hot pepper

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

Mar 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

March, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 10 – Mar 24

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–21 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

80-90°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

12-18 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Keep evenly moist; about 1 in/week

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil; about pH 6.5

Minimum Container Size

3-5 gal

Plant Height

18-24 in

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

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

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; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 70–110 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 3–5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Small flowers; modest
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary; cayenne/chili types may be used in herbal preparations
Succession / Reusable Notes: Start early indoors yearly. Direct sowing outdoors is not recommended in Zone 6B.
Zone 6B Notes: Needs warm soil and nights above ~55°F. Harden off before transplant.
Companion Plants: Basil, onions, carrots, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, tomatoes
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Fennel, brassicas very close by
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors about 8 weeks before the May 5 frost date and transplant after frost danger has passed.
Germination: Warm seed-starting mix is important for pepper germination.
Harvest: Fruit begins very dark purple-black and eventually ripens bright red.
Seed Saving: Peppers readily cross with other compatible Capsicum varieties; isolate or bag blossoms for true-to-type seed.
Special Care: Primarily grown as an ornamental hot pepper for its dark foliage, purple flowers and black-to-red fruit.
Research Source: Plant World Seeds — https://www.plant-world-seeds.com/products/pepper-count-dracula-seeds — Count Dracula ornamental pepper appearance, heat range and heavy-cropping habit
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/peppers/peppers-key-growing-information.html — pepper sowing, germination temperature, spacing and transplant culture
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]