Biquinho peppers, often called Sweety Drop peppers, are thumbnail-sized gems known for their vibrant color, sweet flavor, and gentle heat. If you’re wondering how to grow Biquinho peppers, you’ll be happy to know they’re ideal for both backyard plots and vegetable container gardening. These compact plants thrive in warm, sunny conditions and are a great choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Their glossy green foliage and teardrop-shaped fruits give off a festive look, resembling a mini Christmas tree when fully fruited, bringing beauty and bounty to your garden space.
Also, read my guide on:
How to Grow a Jalapeño Pepper Plant from Seed
For the chili enthusiast, these little beak peppers bring a fiery zest to both gardening and cooking. Popular in Brazil for pickling and garnishing, they are a true culinary delight. Beyond their vibrant appearance, Biquinho peppers boast unique characteristics and nutritional benefits, offering a versatile range of culinary uses. Their mild flavor and playful shape make them a standout addition to any meal.
With the right care and expert advice, these flavor-packed peppers are easy to grow at home. They will provide a bountiful harvest, whether planted in a sunny backyard or a cozy container. My experiences with growing these peppers have shown how rewarding it can be to nurture them and enjoy their fresh taste.
For anyone seeking a fun and flavorful gardening project, Biquinho peppers are a perfect choice. From their attractive appearance to culinary delights, these peppers are a joy to grow and use in your favorite dishes.
About Biquinho Peppers
Biquinho peppers, pronounced bee-KEEN-yo, are a unique Brazilian cultivar known for their small, 1-inch, tear-drop-shaped pods with a tapered point at one end and a rounded base. Often called Sweety Drop, Little Beak, or Chupetinho, these peppers are popular for their decorative appeal and culinary productivity. Their mild heat and fruity flavor make them a delightful addition to any garden and kitchen.
They are native to Brazil and thrive in warm, tropical, or temperate climates, but can also be grown in greenhouses or containers in cooler regions.
Though Biquinho peppers are slow to take off, they are ideal for growing in containers and due to their compact habit. They also thrive in the ground, growing into bushy plants up to three feet tall. Their dark, glossy foliage creates a striking plant, especially when paired with the tender flowering stems that produce fruits prolifically. These peppers ripen from pale green to yellow to a vibrant red, becoming plump and flavorful as they mature.
As a late-fruiting variety, Biquinho peppers continue producing until cold weather sets in, ensuring a long harvest season. They are a perfect treat for sweet lovers, as you can eat the entire stem and seeds, enjoying their mild smokiness without the intense heat of other hot chilies. Their flavor is often compared to habaneros but with a subtle spice buzz, making them closer to bell peppers or mild jalapeños in heat.
The fruits are as decorative as they are delicious, adding vibrant color and charm to your garden. With tender flowering stems evenly distributed, the peppers create a natural aesthetic that complements their culinary uses. They are an excellent choice for gardeners seeking beauty and productivity in their pepper plants.
Whether growing them for their culinary versatility or enjoying their striking appearance, Biquinho peppers offer a rewarding experience. Their ability to thrive in different settings, from containers to ground planting, makes them a great addition for beginner and experienced gardeners.
Selecting the Right Location and Soil
Biquinho peppers, also known as little beak peppers, thrive in a sunny spot with plenty of light. Whether growing them in a garden or on a balcony, ensure they receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. These peppers prefer warm temperatures of at least 70°F (21°C) throughout the growing season, ensuring optimal development. The plants reach a height of 2 cm and a width of 1.5 cm, making them manageable for small spaces.
Prepare soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8 for healthy growth and enrich it with organic matter or compost. Good fertility and drainage conditions are essential for the roots to develop properly. Ensuring the soil is loose and nutrient-rich creates the perfect environment for your pepper plants to flourish. Properly chosen soil and location will help your Biquinho peppers reach their full potential and deliver a rewarding harvest.
How to Grow Biquinho Peppers from Seed
Step 1: Prepare the Setup
Start with tabletop grow lights with vertically adjustable light fixtures to accommodate growing sprouts. Use heat mats to maintain the ideal temperature for germination. Prepare a seed-starting soil mix and fill it into fiber pots or netted coir pellets placed in domed trays to retain moisture and minimize frequent watering.
Step 2: Sow the Seeds
Begin by dampening the starter soil. Push the seed gently into the center of the soil, about 1/4″ deep. Lightly water to settle the seed and firm it in place. Position the pots inside a domed container on a heat mat, checking the soil daily to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Once the seeds sprout, move them under grow lights, maintaining a 16-hour-on, 8-hour-off cycle for steady growth.
Step 3: Prepare for Transplanting
When the seedlings reach 4″ tall and have a strong central stem, they are ready for planting in their permanent home. Before moving outdoors, these slow-growing plants should be sturdy and self-sufficient, especially if you plan to plant them in the ground where woodland creatures might disturb them. Harden off the seedlings by placing them in a sunny spot outside or near an open window for a few days.
Step 4: Choose the Right Container or Ground Location
Use pots at least 14″ wide for container planting to provide adequate nutrition and stability. If planting in the ground, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball and add fresh soil with some compost. Space the plants 24″ apart to allow for proper growth.
Step 5: Protect and Support the Plants
Install a cage with chicken wire around the plants to protect them from critters, removing it once the plants reach about a foot tall. To ensure their growth habit remains upright, provide staking or other forms of support. Your Biquinho peppers will thrive and produce a healthy harvest with proper care and spacing.
Post-Planting Care for Biquinho Peppers
Watering and Mulching
Biquinho peppers, also called little beak peppers, require regular watering to maintain consistent growth. Keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can cause root rot. Adding mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and reduces water evaporation, creating an ideal growing environment.
Fertilizing and Pruning
Feed your peppers every two weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season. This ensures the plants get the right nutrients for foliage and fruit development. To promote a bushier structure and improve air circulation, pinch the tips of young stems, encouraging branching. Remove any damaged or diseased leaves to keep the plants healthy and productive.
Pest and Disease Control
Although Biquinho peppers are generally hardy, they can attract pests like aphids or thrips. Monitor the plants regularly, and if needed, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to manage infestations. For diseases like powdery mildew, use an appropriate fungicide, following the instructions to ensure safe and effective control.
Final Observations
Biquinho peppers are a delightful addition to any garden, offering both visual appeal and culinary versatility. They charm gardeners and food lovers with their compact growth habit, vibrant teardrop-shaped fruits, and mild, sweet flavor. If you’re curious about how to grow Biquinho peppers, success starts with choosing the right sunny spot, ensuring well-drained soil, and maintaining consistent care throughout the growing season. Whether planted in a sunny backyard bed or a cozy patio container, growing Biquinho peppers is a rewarding experience that adds charm, color, and flavor to your home garden.
FAQs
Q- How to grow Biquinho red peppers?
Plant Biquinho red pepper seeds in warm, well-drained soil with full sun. Keep the soil moist and maintain temperatures around 70–85°F (21–29°C) for best growth.
Q- What is the trick to growing peppers?
The key is warm temperatures, full sun, and well-draining soil. Use compost for nutrients, keep soil consistently moist, and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Q- How long does it take for Biquinho peppers to germinate?
Biquinho peppers typically germinate in 7–21 days, depending on warmth and moisture levels. Using a heat mat can speed up germination.
Q- Where are Biquinho peppers grown?
They are native to Brazil and thrive in warm, tropical, or temperate climates, but can also be grown in greenhouses or containers in cooler regions.
Q- How hot are Biquinho peppers?
Biquinho peppers are mild, with a Scoville rating of 500–1,000 SHU, offering a sweet, fruity flavor with just a slight heat.
Q- What are the benefits of Biquinho peppers?
They are rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and capsaicin, which support immune health, digestion, and circulation while adding great flavor to dishes.
