Bird's eye chili Capsicum frutescens
Bird's eye chili (Capsicum frutescens) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Solanaceae family, native to Tropical Americas (Amazon basin and Caribbean). It grows 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Bird's eye chili at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 26–52 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: ripe and unripe fruit, young leaves (cooked) |
| Native to | Tropical Americas (Amazon basin and Caribbean) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Bird's eye chili toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: fruit, seeds
Capsaicin causes burning irritation of mouth, eyes and skin; large amounts can cause vomiting.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bird's eye chili
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Florence fennel: Fennel releases growth-inhibiting compounds from roots and foliage; lab and garden reports show poorer growth of tomato, pepper and other nearby crops, so keep it in its own corner. Evidence C
- caution With Smoke tree: Smoke tree is very susceptible to Verticillium wilt, which persists in soil after tomato, potato or aubergine crops; avoid planting it where those crops have wilted. Evidence C
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress tomatoes, peppers and many other vegetables nearby; grow it in its own corner. Evidence C
- caution With Nightshades: Nightshades share late blight, early blight, Verticillium wilt and Colorado potato beetle; mix with other families and rotate the bed. Evidence B
- avoid With Potato: Potatoes are the main source of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) that spreads to tomatoes and other nightshades within a few metres. Evidence B
- caution With Sunflower: Sunflower residues and roots release phenolic compounds that can slow nearby seedlings; transplants are less affected. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Late blight: Late blight spreads by wind-borne spores between potatoes, tomatoes and their relatives. Evidence B
- Verticillium wilt: Verticillium lives in soil for years; hosts planted together or in sequence build it up. Evidence B
Questions about Bird's eye chili
- How far apart should I plant Bird's eye chili?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Bird's eye chili need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bird's eye chili need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Bird's eye chili?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Bird's eye chili flower?
- About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 26–52 weeks.
- Is Bird's eye chili poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Capsaicin causes burning irritation of mouth, eyes and skin; large amounts can cause vomiting.
- What grows well with Bird's eye chili?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bird's eye chili. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- A short-lived perennial shrub in frost-free climates (about 4 years); grown as an annual where frost occurs. Small upright fruit; some Thai types are Capsicum annuum.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
- Cherry tomato Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
- Potato Solanum tuberosum
- Bell pepper Capsicum annuum
- Eggplant (aubergine) Solanum melongena
- Chili pepper Capsicum annuum (hot types)
- Petunia Petunia x hybrida
- Tomatillo Physalis philadelphica