Pre-orders for 2027 open in early January. Plants are expected to ship from mid-April.
Out of stock
Inventory on the way
What makes it special?
A fruity chilli with an unmistakable lemon aroma. Lemon Drop comes from Peru and belongs to Capsicum baccatum. Its bright yellow fruit combines a clear heat with a fresh, citrusy aroma.
At around 30,000–50,000 Scoville, Lemon Drop is clearly hot, but still versatile in the kitchen. It pairs especially well with salsas, pale chilli sauces, chutneys, fish and dishes where fruitiness and heat should come together.
We raise our Lemon Drop plants ourselves in Illmitz and use the variety, for example, in our chutney Süße Versuchung.
Flavour & Use
Lemon Drop is known for its fruity, lemony aroma. Its heat is typically around 30,000–50,000 Scoville Heat Units and comes through clearly without covering up the variety's characteristic aroma.
The yellow fruit is great fresh for salsa, chilli sauces and curries, but also works very well dried and processed into powder. Thanks to its fresh, citrusy aroma, Lemon Drop also pairs excellently with mango and other sweet fruit.
We also use Lemon Drop in our Süße Versuchung, where the variety's fruity heat really gets to shine.
Fruit & Plant
Lemon Drop belongs to Capsicum baccatum and produces elongated, tapering fruit that ripens from green to bright yellow. Typical pods are around 5–7 cm long.
The plant grows vigorously, branches well and can reach around 100–150 cm under good conditions. Like many baccatum varieties, it needs a bit of space and a sufficiently long, warm season, but rewards you with countless fruit.
Growing & Care
For Lemon Drop, we recommend a full-sun, warm and sheltered spot. In a greenhouse or against a sheltered house wall, the variety can make especially good use of its long growing season.
For pot growing, we recommend at least 8 litres, ideally 10 litres of soil volume. If you have the space, 15–20 litres is ideal. The substrate should be nutrient-rich and well-draining; water evenly, but avoid waterlogging.
Feed regularly and moderately with a suitable tomato or vegetable fertiliser during growth and fruiting. Lemon Drop is not frost-hardy but can be overwintered frost-free and grown as a multi-year plant.
Variety Data
Botanical species: Capsicum baccatum
Origin: Peru
Other names: Aji Lemon / Aji Limón
Heat: hot
Scoville: approx. 30,000–50,000 SHU
Flavour: fruity, lemony, fresh
Fruit colour: green → bright yellow
Fruit size: approx. 5–7 cm
Fruit shape: elongated and tapering
Plant height: approx. 100–150 cm, depending on location and growing conditions
Growth: vigorous and well-branched
Ripening time: medium-late to late
Position: full sun, warm and sheltered
Suitable for: pot, patio, greenhouse and sheltered outdoor spots
Pot size: at least 8 litres, ideally 10 litres; 15–20 litres ideal
Use: salsa, chilli sauces, chutney, drying and powder
Overwintering: possible frost-free
Special feature: pronounced fruity, lemony aroma
Couldn't load pickup availability
1 / 1
Lemon Drop - Chilli Plant
Regular price€3,99 EUR
Regular priceSale price€3,99 EUR
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Lemon Drop – a fruity chilli with lemon aroma
The Lemon Drop chilli plant is one of the best-known fruity chillies from Peru. Its bright yellow fruit combines a clear heat with a fresh, lemony aroma. We raise Lemon Drop ourselves in Illmitz. You'll find more varieties among our chilli plants, raised by us. Botanically, Lemon Drop belongs to Capsicum baccatum. The variety is also known as Aji Lemon or Aji Limón.
How hot is Lemon Drop?
Lemon Drop is typically around 30,000–50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). That makes the variety clearly hot, while staying versatile enough for salsas, chilli sauces, curries and drying.
Why does Lemon Drop taste so special?
The name fits remarkably well: Lemon Drop has a pronounced fruity, citrusy aroma. It's especially exciting paired with sweet fruit. That's exactly why we use Lemon Drop in our Süße Versuchung too – there, the chilli meets mango and brings freshness and heat to the chutney.
Drying and using Lemon Drop
The pointed pods, around 5–7 cm long, ripen from green to bright yellow. Fresh, they suit salsa, pale chilli sauces, chutneys, curries and fish. Dried, they are very easy to turn into chilli powder. How drying works in the air, in the oven or in a dehydrator is shown in our guide to drying chillies.
Growing Lemon Drop in a pot
Lemon Drop grows vigorously and benefits from plenty of sun, warmth and a long season. For pot growing, we recommend at least 8 litres, ideally 10 litres; with 15–20 litres, the plant gets an especially generous root run. A sheltered spot or a greenhouse helps the yellow fruit ripen reliably.
Overwintering Lemon Drop
The plant branches well, grows around 100–150 cm tall and ripens medium-late to late. Lemon Drop isn't frost-hardy but can be overwintered frost-free and so grown as a perennial. What matters for position, pruning and care is explained in our guide to overwintering chillies.
More fruity baccatum chillies
If you like fruity chillies with a special look, our Sugar Rush Stripey is an exciting addition. It also belongs to Capsicum baccatum and sets a different aromatic and visual accent.
Absolutely recommended! I’m completely impressed with this chili plant seller. The quality of the plants is outstanding – strong, healthy, and clearly grown with passion and expertise.
The absolute highlight for me, however, was that this seller is one of the few places that offers my all-time favorite variety, the Lemon Drop chili. I’ve finally found a reliable source for this fantastic variety!
Shipping was fast, and the plants were perfectly packaged, so they arrived in excellent condition. I can wholeheartedly recommend this seller to any chili lover looking for top quality and fast delivery. I will definitely be ordering here again!
— Mr A.T. via Google
My annual joy
“My annual joy has arrived – little chili plants, grown with so much love!”
I’m so happy with my chili plants!
Just like every year, they arrived in perfect condition – healthy, fresh, and full of life. I’m incredibly grateful for the care and love you put into every order. These little plants bring me so much joy, and it truly shows how much you do to make your customers happy.
Thank you so much for your wonderful service! I’m already looking forward to ordering again next year.
— Mrs. L.Ü. via Google
longterm customer
I’ve been buying my chili powder from the Tschida family for years, and it’s the best you can get. The family is always very friendly and helpful as well. I can wholeheartedly recommend their products to everyone.
— Mr. H.K. via Google
#1 Spice supplier
Super friendly service when buying chili plants, and the products are truly excellent. My #1 source for heat :) The ultimate compliment came from an Indian colleague who said that with Tschida chili sauces, he can finally enjoy the level of heat he knows from home here in Europe!
— Mr J.K. via Google
Simply top!
Tschida Tschili – where heat and flavor come together in perfect harmony. The chili products are simply outstanding. I love spicy food, but many products just burn your tongue without delivering any real flavor. With Tschida Tschili, it’s completely different. For an experienced palate, everything is very enjoyable. The flavors are perfectly matched to the level of heat, resulting in truly delicious products.
I visit the farm from time to time as part of my culinary tours with groups. What can I say? Jan and his family are simply the perfect hosts – friendly, authentic, and genuinely local. I always really enjoy visiting you!
— Mrs. J.Z. via Google
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!
The discount is applied automatically, you don't need to do anything else.
