# Lemon Drop

Source: https://shop.homegrowngardenschicago.com/product/lemon-drop/
Published: 2024-03-01
Updated: 2026-04-01

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## **LEMON DROP PEPPER (*Capsicum baccatum*)**

**Transplant | Mid–Late May | Annual**

Lemon Drop peppers, also known as Aji Limón, are a vibrant South American heirloom prized for their bright citrus flavor and lively heat. The slender, pointed peppers ripen from green to a brilliant lemon-yellow, bringing cheerful color and abundant harvests to the summer garden.

These peppers deliver a refreshing burst of citrusy flavor followed by a clean, medium heat, making them perfect for fresh salsas, hot sauces, marinades, and spicy dishes. Their unique flavor adds a bright lift to seafood, grilled vegetables, and Latin-inspired recipes.

Highly productive and vigorous, Lemon Drop pepper plants produce clusters of colorful peppers throughout the warm growing season.

## Growing Details

**Spice Level:** Medium–Hot\
**Scoville Heat Units:** 15,000–30,000 SHU\
**Harvest:** Harvest when peppers turn bright yellow for peak flavor\
**Plant Spacing:** 2 ft\
**Sun:** Full sun\
**Cold Tolerance:** Warm-season crop; plant after danger of frost

## Garden Companions

**Best planted with:**\
Basil, tomatoes, onions, carrots, oregano

**Benefits:**\
Companion plants attract beneficial insects and support healthy garden growth.

**Avoid planting near:**\
Fennel, which may inhibit pepper growth.

## Pro Growing Tips

• Allow peppers to fully ripen for the brightest citrus flavor\
• Harvest regularly to encourage continued fruit production\
• Excellent for fresh salsas, hot sauces, and drying\
• Thrives in warm soil with consistent sunlight

## Health Highlights

**Vitamin-rich peppers**\
Peppers provide vitamins A and C along with beneficial antioxidants.

**Capsaicin benefits**\
Moderate heat from capsaicin may support metabolism and circulation.

**Antioxidant support**\
Colorful peppers contain beneficial plant compounds that support overall wellness.

*Pre-order now for productive summer transplants ready for planting after the last frost.*