Elephant’s Trunk
Also known as Elephant Trunk · Elephants Trunk · Elefantenrüssel · Elephant's Trunk Pepper
An Indian Capsicum annuum variety known for long, curved, trunk-like pods that turn from green to bright red. Mild heat (around 8,000 SHU) and high yields make it popular for cooking, drying and ornamental use.
About 1/2.5 the typical heat of a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU).
Growing
~80 days to maturity
Fruit size
15–25 cm
Flavor & Use
Mild heat with classic cayenne-style pungency and a pleasant, straightforward chili flavor ideal for cooking and drying.
Culinary
About
Elephant’s Trunk is a traditional open-pollinated Capsicum annuum from India. Plants produce slender, often slightly wrinkled or curved pods 15–25 cm long that hang pendant and ripen from pale or dark green to vivid red. The fruit shape strongly resembles an elephant’s trunk, giving the variety its name. Heat is mild (typically 6,000–10,000 SHU), similar to a hotter jalapeño or mild cayenne, with a classic chili flavor well suited to everyday cooking. Plants are productive, reaching 60–120 cm, and the long red pods are also valued as ornamentals. Excellent for Indian cuisine, drying into powder or flakes, salsas and pickling.
Backstory
A traditional Indian Capsicum annuum variety prized for its distinctive long, curved pods that resemble an elephant’s trunk. It has been maintained as an open-pollinated heirloom by specialty seed catalogs for its high yields, ornamental value and suitability for Indian cuisine and spice powders. It is distinct from the Soviet-era Russian cultivar ‘Slonoviy Hobot’ (Maikop, 1952), which shares only the descriptive name.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Elephant’s Trunk?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 6,000–10,000 SHU (Vendor Claim). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat
- What does Elephant’s Trunk taste like?
- Mild heat with classic cayenne-style pungency and a pleasant, straightforward chili flavor ideal for cooking and drying.
- How do I grow Elephant’s Trunk?
- Elephant’s Trunk: about 80 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Elephant’s Trunk?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.