Chilli Pepper Button Red Seeds - Very Mild Compact Variety (500 SHU)

Chilli Pepper ‘Button Red’ Seeds

Button Red is a compact, early-maturing Capsicum chinense chilli pepper that delivers colour, productivity, and flavour with very mild heat. Ideal for patio containers and pot growing, this variety produces masses of small, pendulous fruits that ripen from bright green to vibrant red.

Plants stay neat and manageable, making them perfect for container growing and commercial pot production. Each plant produces an impressive 75+ button-sized fruits, each around 2.5 cm long, with a gentle heat of just 500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This makes Button Red an excellent choice for growers who enjoy chilli flavour without intense heat.

Best finished in 12 cm pots before potting on into larger containers, Button Red performs reliably in greenhouses or outdoors in pots and is suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.

Key Features

Capsicum chinense mild chilli pepper

Compact plant habit — ideal for pots and patio containers

Produces 75+ small pendulous fruits per plant

Fruits ripen from bright green to red

Very mild heat — just 500 SHU

Average fruit size 2.5 × 1.5 cm

Early maturity

Excellent for greenhouse growing or outdoor pots

How to Grow Chilli Pepper ‘Button Red’

Sow seeds indoors from January to March using a heated propagator or warm windowsill. Maintain temperatures of 20–25°C for reliable germination. Sow thinly and cover lightly with compost.

Transplant seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle. Plants are best finished in 12 cm pots for compact growth, or potted on into larger containers for extended cropping.

Grow in a greenhouse or place outdoors in a warm, sheltered position once all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly and feed weekly with a balanced or high-potash fertiliser once flowering begins.

Harvest fruits at either green or red stage depending on preference.

⚠️ Handling advice: Although very mild, wash hands after handling fruits and avoid touching eyes as a precaution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hot is Button Red?
Button Red measures around 500 SHU, making it extremely mild and suitable for those who prefer gentle chilli flavour.

Is Button Red suitable for beginners?
Yes — it’s easy to grow, compact, and very forgiving, making it ideal for beginners.

Can it be grown in containers?
Absolutely. It’s perfect for patio pots, balconies, and small spaces.

Does it need support?
No — its compact growth habit means it generally does not require staking.

What is it best used for?
Ideal eaten fresh in salads or pickled, where its flavour shines without overwhelming heat.