How to Grow Peruvian Ají Amarillo from Seed

How to Grow Peruvian Ají Amarillo from Seed

Welcome to Peruvian Roots Farm’s Growing Guides.
Here you’ll find step-by-step instructions to grow Peruvian and garden favorites—from seed to harvest. Each guide is written by our small family farm in Mansfield, Ohio, where every seed we share helps rescue and care for abandoned cats.

About Ají Amarillo

Ají Amarillo (Capsicum baccatum) is a signature Peruvian pepper—bright orange, medium-hot, and full of fruity flavor. It’s central to dishes like ají de gallina and papa a la huancaína. This plant grows tall and bushy, producing peppers that can reach 4 feet when healthy. While it’s perennial in its native climate, in cooler zones it’s usually grown as an annual unless moved indoors over winter.

Growing Details

• Scientific name: Capsicum baccatum

• Hardiness Zone: Best in Zones 9–11 (grow as annual in colder zones)

• Sun exposure: Full sun (6–8 hours daily)

• Water needs: Moderate, consistent moisture

• Temperature: 70–85°F for germination; 60°F+ for healthy growth

• Days to harvest: 100–120 from transplant

Step 1: Know Your Zone

Ají Amarillo loves warmth, so it’s important to know your USDA Hardiness Zone before planting. This tells you your frost dates and the best time to start seeds. If you’re unsure about your zone or frost dates, visit our guide How to Know Your Growing Zone for a step-by-step explanation. In Zone 6 (Mansfield, Ohio), we start seeds indoors in February–March.

Step 2: Start Seeds Indoors

Ají Amarillo seeds germinate slowly and need warmth to sprout. Use seed-starting mix or a light, well-draining soil. Keep soil around 80–85°F and cover trays with a humidity dome or plastic wrap to maintain moisture. Germination usually takes 2–4 weeks. When seedlings develop 2–3 true leaves, transplant them into individual pots to strengthen their roots.

Step 3: Transplant Outdoors

Only move seedlings outside after your last frost date and when nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F. Harden off seedlings for about a week by gradually exposing them to outdoor light and air. Space plants 18–24 inches apart in full sun, using compost-amended, well-drained soil. Tall plants may need stakes to remain upright.

Step 4: Care and Harvest

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Apply natural fertilizer monthly. Peppers turn from green to bright orange when ripe, usually 3–4 months after transplant. Seeds can be saved from ripe peppers for future planting or dried for cooking.

Example from Our Farm

Here in Zone 6, our Ají Amarillo starts indoors under grow lights in early spring. By transplanting carefully after frost, we enjoy a full harvest of bright, flavorful peppers each summer.

Final Thought

Growing Ají Amarillo connects you to the flavors of Peru while teaching patience and planning. Knowing your zone and frost dates ensures success, and starting seeds indoors gives your peppers the head start they need to thrive.