Looking to grow Birds Eye Chilli Seeds?We offer Birds Eye Chilli seeds under the Tepin / Chiltepin name. These are also known by the name: Thai Birds Eye Chilli Pepper.
Capsicum annuum is native to southern North America and northern South America. This variety is considered the "mother of all peppers" and also goes by chiltepin, chiltepe, and chile tepin, bird’s eye chilli, or simply bird peppers, as wild birds love to eat them! Yes, despite the spiciness of these peppers, birds aren't affected by capsaicin the way mammals are, so it does them no harm! This is why many people add hot pepper powder or flakes to their birdseed, as the birds don't mind it, but the squirrels do! These birds eye chillies are extra hot, with 50,000 - 100,000 Scoville Heat Units, so they pack a punch!
The word Tepin is from the Nahuatl language of the Aztec Indians and means “flea” because of its small size. Yes, these are tiny peppers! They take a little more time to harvest as there are usually so many and they are so small, but they pack some great flavor and heat! This hot pepper is great for making hot pepper flakes or hot sauce, curries, sauces, or even used in iced coffee! Birds Eye Chillies are long lived perennial peppers, so if you live in an area that doesn't freeze, then you can grow these peppers year-round and they can become large shrubs! 
Starting Seeds
To start Birds Eye Chilli seeds, make sure to keep them consistently warm and moist. We highly recommend a seedling heating mat to keep the seeds between 80-90˚ F for best germination. They typically take about 7-20 days to germinate, the warmer they are the faster they'll hatch! Make sure to plant them in well-draining media, and don't overwater, as all peppers hate wet feet! Plant in full sun in rich soil amended with compost, and harvest peppers when they turn red.
For lots more growing tips, visit our How To Grow Peppers page »
