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Cold Hardy Chili Pepper Seeds

Cold Hardy Chili Pepper Seeds - Capsicum flexuosum - Ke huí

Capsicum flexuosum
Ke huí
  • Hardy to Zone 7
  • Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Germination Tested Dec 4, 2024: 40%
  • Approximately 20-25 seeds per packet
$5.50 CAD
$5.50 CAD
Sale Sold out

Capsicum flexuosum is a small wild perennial pepper species that is hardy to -15°C (5°F)! The peppers are slightly larger than a pea, but the plants are heavy producers, and come back year after year. Fruits are quite hot with a fruity flavour. Plants continue growing and ripening peppers into the late fall, even when nights are below freezing.

The plants can grow up to 10 feet tall, and develop woody stems over a few years. They’re said to live 10 years or even up to 30. They will lose their leaves during the winter, but will leaf out around May once temperatures die back. When the plants are young, they will likely die back to the ground in winter, but they will regrow from the roots in late spring  

At least two plants are needed to set fruit. When plants are young, it can help to transfer pollen from plant to plant using a small paintbrush or q-tip to help with pollination. Once the flowers get more numerous, the bees should have no problem doing the pollination for you.

In my experience, plants are best propagated by layering or root cuttings, although half-wood, green cuttings are said to work too.

This is a very rare species native to southern Brazil, where it is sometimes used as a spice. Capsicum flexuosum has apparently been crossed to other pepper species, but all my attempts and others I have heard about by backyard growers have failed. I am interested in breeding this pepper with others to create larger, cold tolerant peppers. If you have had success doing this, please be in touch!

Botanical sample. Not germination tested. Seeds can be tricky to germinate, and benefit from special treatment. See “Growing Instructions” tab below. 

Growing Instructions

Seeds can be very tricky to germinate, and sprout erratically over several weeks. Start indoors in winter (I start in Jan or Feb) in sterile growing medium in pots or flats. I use 4 inch pots. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep, and keep the soil slightly damp. Cover pot with plastic wrap to help retain moisture if needed- remove when first seeds sprout. Room temperature is apparently best for germinating this species, use a heat mat if your house is cold like mine. Seeds can take 2 weeks to many months to germinate, but don't give up on them! Keep them warm and moist and your patience will pay off. Don't throw out the pots as some people have had them sprout a year later!

PRE-TREATMENT: seeds have a hard coat and seem to go into dormancy quickly. Pretreating the seeds is probably a good idea, and can make the seeds sprout faster. Soaking in hydrogen peroxide before planting may help break down the seed coat. My friend Matt of Bloomsday Native Plants had almost 100% germination by soaking seeds in gibberellic acid (GA3) and chamomile tea. Gibberellic acid can be purchased online.

TRANSPLANTING: Once seedlings have their first true leaves, transplant into larger pots, or plant out in their final location after danger of frost. They are slow growing in the first year, but pick up speed in year 2 and beyond. Space 1-2 feet apart to start: plants can always be dug up and spread out if they get too crowded as they get older.

GROWING CONDITIONS: Full sun is best, but part shade is ok too. Well-draining, fertile garden soil is ideal. Plants are quite drought and heat tolerant. No trellising is needed. Can be grown in large pots.

Shipping & Returns

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, and Internationally for a flat rate of $20*. Shipping costs to the US will include the cost of a phytosanitary inspection and certificate, as well as tariffs.

Live plants, bulbs, and bulbils can only be shipped within Canada. 

Shipping fees listed here are in Canadian dollars, and may change without notice.

 

Shipping in Canada 

We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.

Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.

Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.

 

Shipping to the US

Shipping charges to the US will also now include a government phytosanitary inspection and certificate. This will be bundled into the shipping cost. We ship via Canada Post, and any applicable duties will be calculated at checkout. So far (as of Sept 1, 2025), it's looking like there are no duties charged on seeds. 

Please expect delays for US shipping, as during busy times it can take up to 2 weeks for us to book a phytosanitary inspection.

 

Shipping Internationally

International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page

Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option. 

 

Return Policy

If you have any issues with your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will do our best to make it right.

Ecologically Grown

Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

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Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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T
TL
Fruited in first year!

Spring 2024 - Pre soaked and germinated half a package of seeds (they all germinated weeks and months apart). One plant (the first to germinate) grew to maturity and is overwintering in greenhouse. 2 spicy chilies ripened (Nov./Dec) and have provided 5 more seeds (despite having no other plants for cross-pollination). There are still some unripe chilies on the plant that may ripen this spring. A challenging but rewarding experience. Looking forward to having a perennial chili!

D
Dan
Capsicum Flexuosum germination success

Good results so far, I've already hit 40% germ rate in just over 2 weeks.
-Jan.18 - I put 10 seeds in the fridge in a plastic container
-Jan.21 - Took them out, let them warm up, then soaked in weak room temp chamomile tea for about 8 hours, then put them on damp paper towel in a sealed container on a heating pad
-Jan.31 - 2 seeds sprouted, moved them to small pots
-Feb.4 - 1 more seed sprouted
-Feb.5 - 1 more seed sprouted

I
Isidoro Di Salvo

Great seeds

b
betty burk
Shipping

Received the seeds with a personal note on the package within a week. Looking forward to the growing season with these new to me seeds. Thank you. I will let you know how the peppers and other seeds do in my microclimate