Bird's eye chile
Capsicum frutescens
Also known asAfrican bird pepper · Piri piri · Pili pili · Cabe rawit (Indonesia) · Siling labuyo (Philippines)
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates. Strict on light; outside the DLI band, yields drop sharply.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 9–13 (winter low around -7°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: moderate.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) | neutral / inert | very low | low |
| Rockwool (Mineral wool) | alkaline until pre-soaked | very high | low |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.2 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1.8 |
| flowering | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.2 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.4 |
Companion-growing notes
- Heavy uptake of potassium, calcium. Co-grown crops with the same demand will end up deficient even at "correct" EC.
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
One of the most productive, compact peppers for small hydroponic systems. Hold EC around 1.8-2.6 mS/cm and pH 5.8-6.5. It is tropical, wanting sustained warmth at 24–32°C, with high light on the order of 22-32 mol/m2/day. The small plant size makes it ideal for countertop, windowsill or vertical growing. Fruiting starts about 70 to 90 days from transplant and continues for months, with 100 to 200 or more tiny fruits per plant over a season. Pick green for a sharper, milder bite or red for hotter, slightly fruity heat. In warm conditions the plant is perennial and can fruit for two years or more. Pest pressure is low, since the capsaicin itself deters many insects, and the upright fruit makes picking easy. Two or three plants give a year-round supply for anyone who cooks a lot of Southeast Asian food. The little fruits dry well: thread them on string to air-dry or use a dehydrator near 55°C.