Pre-orders for 2027 open in early January. Plants are expected to ship from mid-April.
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What makes it special?
Rocoto Oculto differs clearly, even botanically, from most chillies in our range. As a Capsicum pubescens, it has typically hairy leaves, dark to black seeds and vigorous, long-lived growth.
The juicy, thicker-walled fruit combines around 50,000–100,000 Scoville with a fruity, spicy rocoto aroma. Rocotos don't like it quite as hot as habaneros or superhots, which makes them especially interesting for more sheltered, slightly cooler spots.
Flavour & Use
Rocoto Oculto tastes fruity, fresh and spicy. The heat of around 50,000–100,000 SHU sits in comparatively juicy, thicker flesh – a very different mouthfeel than thin-walled cayenne or Thai chillies.
The fruit is great for stuffing, stews and braises, roasting, or bold chilli sauces. The rocoto aroma also works very well in a spicy paste or a fruity relish.
Despite its juicy flesh, Rocoto Oculto brings clear heat and can be found in the chilli plants with heat level 4–7 category.
Fruit & Plant
Rocoto Oculto belongs to Capsicum pubescens. Typical are hairy leaves, violet flowers and dark to black seeds. This variety's fruit ripens in orange to peach tones and is roundish to lightly elongated.
The plant grows vigorously and bushy and can reach around 100–150 cm. With good frost-free overwintering, rocotos can grow into impressive plants over several years.
Growing & Care
Rocotos prefer plenty of light but cope better with somewhat cooler conditions than Capsicum chinense. A bright, sheltered spot with good air movement is ideal; flowering can suffer in very hot greenhouses.
For pot growing, we recommend at least 8 litres, ideally 10 litres; 15–20 litres is especially worthwhile for vigorous, multi-year growth. Keep evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging, and feed regularly.
Rocoto Oculto is not frost-hardy but overwinters especially well frost-free.
Variety Data
Botanical species: Capsicum pubescens
Origin: the Andean region of South America
Heat: hot to very hot
Scoville: approx. 50,000–100,000 SHU
Flavour: fruity, fresh, spicy
Fruit colour: dark green → orange to peach
Fruit size: approx. 4–6 cm
Fruit shape: roundish to lightly elongated, thick-walled
Seeds: dark to black – typical for Capsicum pubescens
Plant height: approx. 100–150 cm
Growth: vigorous, bushy, suitable for multi-year growing
Ripening time: medium-late to late
Position: bright, sheltered, not permanently extremely hot
Suitable for: large pot, patio, sheltered outdoor spots and a tempered greenhouse
Pot size: at least 8 litres, ideally 10 litres; 15–20 litres ideal
Use: stuffing, stews, roasting, chilli sauces, relishes and pastes
Overwintering: very well suited to frost-free overwintering
Special feature: hairy leaves, violet flowers and black seeds
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Rocoto Oculto - Chilli Plant
Regular price€3,99 EUR
Regular priceSale price€3,99 EUR
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Rocoto Oculto – Capsicum pubescens with black seeds and juicy fruit
The Rocoto Oculto chilli plant belongs to Capsicum pubescens and differs botanically quite clearly from habanero, jalapeño or Thai chilli. Typical traits include hairy leaves, violet flowers and dark to black seeds.
How hot is Rocoto Oculto?
Rocoto Oculto is usually stated at around 50,000–100,000 SHU. Its thicker, juicy flesh combines this heat with a fruity, spicy aroma, making rocotos especially interesting for stuffing and cooking. A fitting idea is our recipe for stuffed rocoto chillies from the oven. The fruit also works well in stews, braises or bold chilli sauces.
Capsicum pubescens: what it means for growing
Important for growing: Rocoto Oculto is Capsicum pubescens, not Capsicum baccatum. Pubescens varieties tolerate cooler conditions better than many chinense types and are well suited to multi-year, frost-free growing. You'll find more varieties of this species under Capsicum pubescens.
Fruit and plant
In this variety, the fruit ripens to orange to peach tones and is roundish to slightly elongated. The plant grows vigorously and bushy, reaches about 100–150 cm and, with good frost-free overwintering, can develop into a substantial plant over several years.
Growing and overwintering rocoto in a pot
Rocotos need plenty of light but don't like it quite as hot as habaneros. A bright, sheltered spot with good air movement is ideal; in very hot greenhouses, flowering can suffer. Plan for at least 8, ideally 10 litres of pot volume; for strong, multi-year growth, 15–20 litres make particular sense. Rocoto Oculto isn't frost-hardy but overwinters especially well in a frost-free spot – our guide to overwintering chilli plants explains how.
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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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