Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Thai Chili Pepper vs. Cayenne Pepper
The comparison
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Germination temperature | 27 °C81 °F | 27–32 °C81–90 °F |
| Sowing depth | 1.5 cm½ in | 1.5 cm½ in |
| Spacing between plants | 30–61 cm1–2 ft | 30 cm12 in |
| Days to maturity | 70–85 days from transplanting | 70–85 days from transplanting |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun |
| Water | Not yet verified | Moderate |
| Containers | Yes, 19 L or largerYes, 5 gal or larger | Yes, 19 L or largerYes, 5 gal or larger |
| Soil pH | pH 6.0–6.5 | pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
Fruits & otherCapsicum annuum
Thai chili, also called bird's eye chili, is a very hot pepper of the Capsicum annuum species. It needs warm weather, full sun and a long growing season to ripen.
How to grow thai chili pepperFruits & otherCapsicum annuum
Cayenne is a hot chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) that needs full sun and a long warm season. Start seed indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost, then transplant once the soil has warmed.
How to grow cayenne pepperKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Thai Chili Pepper vs. Cayenne Pepper vs. AlfalfaAdd alfalfa as a third
Thai Chili Pepper vs. Cayenne Pepper vs. American PersimmonAdd american persimmon as a third
Thai Chili Pepper vs. Cayenne Pepper vs. Apple TreeAdd apple tree as a thirdThai Chili Pepper vs. AlfalfaThai Chili Pepper against another seedCayenne Pepper vs. AlfalfaCayenne Pepper against another seedThai Chili Pepper vs. American PersimmonThai Chili Pepper against another seedThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
