Demon Red – Capsicum annuum

Plant description

Rooster Spur is a captivating American heirloom Capsicum annuum with a history as distinctive as its appearance. Originally grown by the Ainsworth family of Laurel, Mississippi for well over a century, this treasured variety was donated to the Seed Savers Exchange and has since found admirers worldwide — known as Takanotsume (“hawk claws”) in Japan and Hahong Kocho (poinsettia pepper) in China. Its name comes from the small, slender, curved shape of its pods, which closely resemble the sharp spur on a rooster’s leg. It is a variety steeped in Southern American food culture, most famously associated with the legendary Rooster Spur Sausage — a dish that even caught the attention of President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s.

The plant itself is compact, sprawling, and exceptionally productive, typically reaching around 60 cm in height with a wide, bushy, highly branched habit. It produces an extraordinary number of upright, 4–5 cm long pods that cluster densely across the tops of the branches, ripening from deep green through to a vivid fire-engine red. At peak fruiting, the plant is a striking sight — effectively blanketed in tiny, bright red chillies that make it as attractive as any ornamental variety. Yet this is no mere decoration: the fruits are firm, flavoursome, and seriously hot, with a clean, fresh peppery bite that makes them genuinely excellent in the kitchen.

Heat level

🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 7/10 — Rooster Spur comes in at approximately 30,000–180,000 SHU depending on the strain — typically comparable to a cayenne or tabasco pepper. The heat hits sharply and quickly so treat these with the same respect you’d give any hot chilli.

Growing instructions

Rooster Spur is a reliable and rewarding variety to grow, well suited to both containers and open ground. Sow seeds indoors from January to March using a heated propagator set to around 25–28°C — germination typically occurs within 10–14 days under good conditions. Pot seedlings on into a free-draining, peat-free compost mixed with perlite, and grow on in warm, bright conditions. Plants can be grown in pots of 1 to 5 litres in volume, with plant size and yields increasing as pot size grows making this an ideal variety for windowsills, patios, or greenhouse benches where space is at a premium. Begin feeding with a high-potassium tomato fertiliser once the first flowers appear, and continue throughout the season. The plants are naturally short and bushy, so no staking or support is required. Yield potential is huge given a warm, sunny spot and consistent feeding and watering, a single well-grown plant can produce an extraordinary number of pods. Harvest begins around 90–95 days from transplanting, and picking regularly will encourage continued fruiting well into autumn.

Preserving & Recipe Ideas

Rooster Spur is one of the most versatile small chillies you can grow, and its firm flesh makes it particularly well suited to several preserving methods. Pickling whole is a favourite — make a small cut in the side to allow the brine to penetrate, then drop them in whole, stem and all which also gives you a convenient handle when eating them. They also dry exceptionally well — either air-dried on the branch or in a low oven — and once fully dry can be ground into a vibrant, cayenne-style chilli powder that keeps beautifully for months. They are ideal for use in hot sauces and their clean, punchy heat means a small batch goes a long way. In the kitchen, use them fresh and thinly sliced to finish noodle dishes, stir-fries, rice bowls, and soups. Their traditional home is in sausage and spiced meat recipes — a nod to their Mississippi heritage — but they are equally at home in salsas, fermented hot sauces, chilli con carne, or anywhere you want a reliable, straightforward hit of clean, peppery heat. A jar of Rooster Spur pickles alongside cheese, charcuterie, or a ploughman’s is a thing of genuine beauty.

About us

Here at Edible Ornamentals at the Chilli Ranch, we’re passionate about growing exceptional chilli plants and helping others succeed with them. Based in the UK, we specialise in producing high-quality, carefully selected varieties for home growers, enthusiasts, and artisan producers alike. Our focus is on flavour, performance, and reliability—so whether you’re growing on a windowsill or in a greenhouse, you can expect great results.

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