Lemon Aji Seeds
Fruity South American Heat

Lemon Aji Chilli Seeds

Lemon Aji Chilli Seeds

Zesty sunshine with a twist:Heat Level: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

The Lemon Aji is one of the most dependable and rewarding chillies you can grow from seed. A classic Peruvian Capsicum baccatum, it’s known for its strong growth, big yields and that unmistakable lemony flavour that makes it stand out from almost every other medium-hot variety.

As seedlings, they establish quickly and soon develop into tall, branching plants with a naturally spreading habit. In good conditions they can reach close to a metre in height, and in a greenhouse they may grow even larger, so a little support is often helpful once the fruiting begins.

The pods start off a pale, lime green and slowly mature to a bright, glossy yellow. They are long, lightly crumpled and beautifully aromatic when sliced. The heat sits comfortably in the mid-range at around 30,000–50,000 SHU, but it’s the flavour that keeps people growing them year after year: clean, citrus-bright and wonderfully refreshing without any harshness.

Lemon Aji is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. The fresh pods are excellent in salsas, salads and ceviche-style dishes, and they hold their flavour well in sauces. When dried, they become surprisingly fruity, and the powder has a gentle citrus tang that’s hard to beat.

If you want a chilli that’s generous, trouble-free and genuinely delicious, Lemon Aji is one of the best all-round performers you can grow from seed.

Read more abou Lemon Aji and Havana Gold in the blog feature: Inca Gold.

If you’d rather skip the seed stage, I also grow Lemon Aji plug plants, ready to pot on and get going quickly — available very early in the season.

Additional Information

▶ Packet Contents: Ten seeds per packet.

▶ Species: Capsicum baccatum

▶ Heat Level: Medium-hot, typically 30,000–50,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU)

▶ Fruit Appearance: Long, slightly crumpled pods that ripen from pale green to bright, glossy yellow

▶ Flavour Profile: Clean, sharp and citrusy with a distinctive lemon note typical of Peruvian baccatums

▶ Fruiting Time: Mid-season; baccatum types often produce later than chinense, but once they start they fruit heavily and consistently

▶ Growing Conditions: Thrives in bright, warm conditions with good airflow; performs well in greenhouses, polytunnels or sheltered outdoor spots

▶ Growth Habit: Tall, bushy plants that can reach around 1 metre; may require staking once laden with fruit

▶ Origin: Peru, where baccatum varieties such as Aji Amarillo and Aji Lemon form a core part of traditional cooking

▶ How to Grow Chillies: My free 28-page booklet, "How to Grow Chillies," is included with every plant or seed order

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▶ 1. Easy to Grow: Some chillies are just a joy to grow — compact, reliable, and happy in a pot (5). Others shoot off in all directions or sulk at the first sign of wind (1). I’ve given higher scores to the ones that do well here in the UK.

▶ 2. Ornamental Quality: A few of these are real show-offs, with pods that look like jewels or dramatic foliage that turns heads. Others are more practical than pretty. This score is just about how good they look on the patio or in the greenhouse.

▶ 3. Heat Level: This isn’t a technical SHU score — it’s just a kitchen-friendly 1 to 5. A 1 means very mild (like a jalapeño), a 5 is properly hot (think Bhut Jolokia). It should help you judge what you’re in for!

▶ 4. Hardiness: How well do they cope with our unpredictable summers? I’ve given higher scores to the tough ones that keep going through cool nights, wind, or patchy weather without much fuss.

▶ 5. Culinary Use: This one’s about how often I actually use them. Some are perfect for pickling, stuffing or powders — others look good but don’t end up in many meals. If it’s flavourful and versatile, it scores high.

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