Pre-orders for 2027 open in early January. Plants are expected to ship from mid-April.
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Inventory on the way
What makes it special?
Brazilian Starfish is one of the best-known visual oddities among Capsicum baccatum varieties. The flat, star-shaped red fruit genuinely looks like a small starfish and differs clearly from classic elongated chillies.
Add to that what we especially love about many baccatum varieties: plenty of fruitiness and a heat that's clearly noticeable, without covering up the aroma. The plant can grow vigorously and tall, and quickly becomes an eye-catcher with its unusual fruit.
Flavour & Use
Brazilian Starfish tastes fruity, lightly sweet and juicy. The heat is usually stated at around 5,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units and can vary from fruit to fruit and with growing conditions.
The fruit is especially good fresh for salsas, salads and snacking for heat-experienced eaters. It also works very well in fruity chilli sauces, for fermenting or drying. Thanks to its relatively meaty, juicy fruit, the aroma stays pleasantly present.
Fruit & Plant
The fruit is flat, roundish and strongly star-folded. It ripens from green to red and usually reaches around 3–6 cm in diameter.
Brazilian Starfish belongs to Capsicum baccatum and can grow very vigorously. Depending on location and growing conditions, around 120–200 cm of plant height is possible. Growth is sprawling and strongly branched; with a heavy fruit load, a stake can be useful.
Growing & Care
We recommend a full-sun to sunny, warm and sheltered spot with enough room. Brazilian Starfish can grow considerably larger than many classic chilli plants.
In a pot, we recommend at least 10 litres; 15–20 litres or more is ideal if you have the space. Use a nutrient-rich, well-draining substrate, water evenly and avoid waterlogging. Given its vigorous growth and long shoots, a plant stake can be helpful.
The variety is frost-sensitive but can be overwintered frost-free.
Variety Data
Botanical species: Capsicum baccatum
Origin: Brazil
Heat: mild to medium-hot
Scoville: approx. 5,000–30,000 SHU
Flavour: fruity, lightly sweet, juicy
Fruit colour: green → red
Fruit size: approx. 3–6 cm diameter
Fruit shape: flat, roundish and characteristically star-shaped
Plant height: approx. 120–200 cm, depending on location and growing conditions
Growth: vigorous, tall, sprawling and well-branched
Ripening time: medium-late, approx. 80–90 days under warm conditions
Position: sunny, warm and sheltered
Suitable for: large pot, patio, greenhouse and sheltered outdoor spots
Pot size: at least 10 litres; 15–20 litres or larger ideal
Use: fresh, salsa, fruity chilli sauces, fermentation and drying
Overwintering: possible frost-free
Special feature: star-shaped fruit and very vigorous baccatum growth
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Brazilian Starfish - Chilli Plant
Regular price€3,99 EUR
Regular priceSale price€3,99 EUR
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Brazilian Starfish – a star-shaped chilli from Brazil
The Brazilian Starfish chilli plant is one of those varieties whose name unusually accurately describes the fruit shape. The ripe red fruit is flat, heavily folded and, from above, recalls small stars or starfish. This look makes the variety an instant eye-catcher – and at the same time, it's culinarily far more than just a decorative chilli. Botanically, it belongs to Capsicum baccatum, and it originates from Brazil.
How hot is Brazilian Starfish?
Brazilian Starfish sits at 5,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units. That makes it noticeably hotter than a sweet pepper, while staying well below habanero or superhot varieties. It's exactly this moderate to medium heat that lets the fruity, lightly sweet and juicy baccatum aroma really come through. With this heat, it can be found in the chilli plants with heat level 4–7 category.
How does Brazilian Starfish taste, and how is it used?
The fruit works especially well fresh in salsas and salads, but can equally be fermented, dried or processed into fruity chilli sauces. Thanks to the relatively fleshy, juicy fruit, the aroma stays pleasantly present. If you grow baccatum varieties for their aroma, this is a very distinctive option. The Lemon Drop is, by comparison, noticeably more elongated, yellow and citrus-forward, while Aji Confusion stands out with cream-white and completely different fruit shapes.
Fruit and ripening time
The flat, roundish fruit ripens from green to red and usually reaches around 3–6 cm in diameter. Under warm conditions, it's ripe after around 80–90 days, which makes the variety a medium-late chilli.
How big does a Brazilian Starfish plant get?
This question matters more for planning than with many more compact chillies. Under good conditions, Brazilian Starfish can reach around 120–200 cm and develops vigorous, sprawling growth. We therefore recommend a larger pot, enough distance from neighbouring plants, and a stake if needed. A sunny, warm spot and even care support the long fruit set.
Pot, greenhouse or outdoors?
In a sheltered outdoor spot, the variety can do well in warm locations; in a greenhouse or against a very sheltered house wall, though, it makes more reliable use of the season. In a pot, we recommend at least 10 litres. For pot growing, 15–20 litres is especially comfortable if you have the space. The variety is frost-sensitive but can be overwintered frost-free – how that works is shown in our guide to overwintering chillies. You'll find more unusual varieties with distinctive shapes and colours among our chilli rarities.
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WE'RE CELEBRATING!
More than just chillies is growing here right now: our new headquarters and our new greenhouse are taking shape. With our topping-out celebration we're marking an important milestone – and we'd love you to share in it!
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