Hot paper lantern

Also known as Paper Lantern · Hot Paper Lantern Habanero

A habanero-type pepper (Capsicum chinense) from Peru, bred for earlier maturity and better yields in cooler northern climates. Produces elongated, wrinkled lantern-shaped red fruits with intense fruity heat and sweet tropical notes.

Growing

~90 days to maturity

Fruit size

7–10 cm

Flavor & Use

Subtly sweet and fruity with tropical notes and a slower heat build that allows sweetness and light smokiness to emerge before the intense burn.

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Culinary

fresh in salsas, hot sauces, and marinades featuring tropical fruits like mango or pineappledrying into flakes or powder due to thin wallsroasting, grilling, pickling, stuffingsimmering whole in soups, stews, and curries

About

The Hot Paper Lantern is an elongated habanero-type pepper with magnificent, wrinkled, lantern-shaped fruits that ripen from green through orange to bright red. The pods average 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) long, with thin walls and a conical to pendant shape that tapers to a slender point. Plants are tall and productive, maturing earlier than typical habaneros (around 70 days to green, 90 days to red), making the variety especially suitable for cooler northern growing regions. Flavor begins subtly sweet and fruity with tropical notes before building to an intense, very hot finish.

Backstory

Bred by Janika Eckert using traditional plant breeding methods for earlier maturity and higher productivity than standard habaneros. This open-pollinated variety performs well in northern climates with shorter growing seasons.

Appearance

ShapeElongated lantern
ColorGreen · Orange · Red
Size7–10 cm
WallThin
SkinWrinkled

Growing

SunFull
WaterModerate
ClimateTropical (adaptable to cooler northern climates)
Days to maturity90 days
Plant height60–90 cm
Soil pH6–6.8
Germination7–14 days
Spacing45 cm
HardinessZones 9-11

Heritage

We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.

Sources