Kilian
Kilian is a medium-heat orange cayenne chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) hailing from Southeast Asia and China. Compact plants produce vibrant 5–8 cm slender pods that ripen from green to bright orange, offering reliable yields and versatile kitchen use in containers or open ground.
Growing
~80 days to maturity
Fruit size
5–8 cm
Flavor & Use
Tender, crisp, juicy pods deliver a hot spicy spark and bright flavor, excellent for adding both heat and vibrant color.
Culinary
About
The Kilian variety is a medium-early hot pepper that grows as a compact bush, typically 40–60 cm tall. Its fruits are slender, pointed, and thin-walled (around 3 mm), reaching up to 8 cm in length. They start green and mature to a striking bright orange. With a heat level in the medium range (approximately 27,000–50,000 SHU depending on source), it offers a clean, sharp spiciness. The plants are easy to grow in pots, greenhouses, or open ground in warm conditions, germinating in 14–22 days. It is valued for both its ornamental ripe color and culinary applications across many cuisines.
Backstory
Compact cayenne-type selection popularized in European seed markets; derived from traditional peppers hailing from Southeast Asia and China, optimized for container growing and reliable yields on small plants.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Kilian?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 25,000–50,000 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 Kilian taste like?
- Tender, crisp, juicy pods deliver a hot spicy spark and bright flavor, excellent for adding both heat and vibrant color.
- How do I grow Kilian?
- Kilian: about 80 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for Kilian?
- Capsi does not have that recorded yet.