Bulgarian Carrot Chilli

Capsicum annuum (nightshade)

Also known as: Shipka Pepper, Hot Carrot Pepper

A striking heirloom named for its unmistakable resemblance to a small, bright orange carrot — a resemblance that ends the moment you take a bite. Thin-walled, glossy, tapered pods ripen from deep green to a vivid, polished orange, crisp and crunchy with a distinctly fruity, tangy flavour that arrives sweet before the heat kicks in. Compact, prolific plants crowd themselves with fruit close to the main stem, and this variety is unusually well suited to cooler climates and shorter seasons, having originated in Bulgaria's cool continental conditions. Medium-hot heat of around 12,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units.

Days to harvest 70–80 days

Fruit size 5–10cm, tapered, carrot-shaped

Sowing depth 5mm

Germination 7–21 days at 25–30°C

Spacing 45–60cm apart

Aspect Full sun, well-drained soil

Frost tolerance Frost sensitive, but more cold-tolerant than most chillies — dislikes wind and won't set fruit in extreme heat or cold

Growing notes

Choose a full-sun spot sheltered from strong wind. This variety is naturally suited to cooler summers, making it one of the better chilli choices for a shorter or less predictable warm season.

Soil preparation: Well-drained soil with plenty of compost worked in.

Support: Light staking or a small cage recommended, as compact plants can become heavily loaded with fruit close to the main stem.

Watering & feeding: Water consistently and avoid letting soil dry out. Feed every 4–6 weeks with a balanced fertiliser to encourage continued fruiting.

Harvest: Pick once pods reach full size and colour up to bright orange to encourage continued production. Use scissors or shears to remove fruit cleanly without damaging the plant. Flavour fades quickly after picking, so use fresh where possible.

Timing: Expect first harvest around 70–80 days after transplanting, often coming through in two strong flushes across the season.

Key features

Open-pollinated Bulgarian heirloom
Medium-hot heat — 12,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units
Small, glossy, carrot-shaped orange fruit
Crisp, crunchy texture unlike most chillies
Fruity, tangy flavour with a sweet start
Compact, highly prolific plants — well suited to pots

Short season tips

Best started indoors on heat mats — this variety needs 25–30°C soil to germinate reliably. Sow 8–10 weeks before the last frost or purchase as 6–8-week-old seedlings. Transplant into the garden once soil temperature has reliably warmed. Given its natural cold-tolerance and preference for cooler conditions, this is one of the more forgiving chillies for the cooler end of the season.

Spring
Summer

Tender perennial — most often grown as an annual

Basil (particularly good for capsicums and chillies) Marigolds Onion Carrots

Other nightshades (tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes) Fennel

Native to Bulgaria, this variety reportedly made its way out from behind the Iron Curtain sometime in the late 1970s, later becoming a favourite among Western home gardeners for its striking looks and cold tolerance. Also known as Shipka, a name debated to derive either from a small Bulgarian town or an older Bulgarian word for rose hips, it remains a favourite for pickling, roasting, and hot sauce making.