Mushroom Red is an heirloom, open-pollinated hot pepper variety known for its unique fruits that resemble a mushroom, which is how the variety gets its name. It combines an unusual appearance with rich flavor and medium to high heat, making it an excellent choice for home gardens and a wide range of culinary uses.
The plants are vigorous and well-branched, typically reaching 45–60 cm in height, and produce a large number of peppers throughout the growing season. The fruits have a flattened, broad shape with pronounced lobes that resemble a mushroom cap, usually measuring 4–6 cm in diameter. They ripen to a bright red color and have relatively thick walls with crisp flesh.
Mushroom Red has a rich, fruity flavor with a heat level of approximately 30,000–50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making it significantly hotter than a jalapeño but milder than many habanero varieties. It is ideal for making hot sauces, stuffing, drying, and cooking, while its distinctive shape also adds visual appeal to a variety of dishes.
This variety reaches harvest maturity in approximately 80–90 days after transplanting and produces abundant yields when peppers are harvested regularly, encouraging continuous fruit production throughout the season.
Pepper seeds require warmth and moisture for germination and do not require light during the germination stage. Sow seeds in seed trays at a depth of approximately 0.5–1 cm, keeping the growing medium consistently moist until germination, which usually occurs within 7–14 days, depending on temperature.
This variety is suitable for growing in Kuwait and Gulf countries during the warm growing season. Seeds are best started indoors in seed trays during August and September, then transplanted outdoors during October and November at the beginning of the growing season. It can also be grown as a spring crop starting in February. Harvest usually begins from December to February for autumn plantings and from April to May for spring plantings, depending on planting time and growing conditions.
Grow in a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants approximately 40–50 cm apart with 60–80 cm between rows. Regular and balanced watering promotes vigorous growth and abundant production. Continuous harvesting encourages the plants to produce more peppers throughout the season.
2Pinch in packet
