A Complete Guide to One of the World’s Hottest Peppers

If you’re drawn to peppers that deliver intense heat, complex flavor, and serious growing bragging rights, the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion deserves your attention.

Often overshadowed by the Carolina Reaper, this legendary super-hot pepper is one of the most powerful chili varieties ever recorded, capable of delivering a slow-building, full-body burn that seasoned chili heads both respect and fear. Beyond the heat, Moruga Scorpions are surprisingly flavorful, highly productive, and deeply rooted in pepper history.

Whether you want to grow super-hots from seed, understand how hot Scorpion peppers really are, or decide if they’re worth trying at all, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Origin & History

The Moruga Trinidad Scorpion traces its roots to Trinidad and Tobago, specifically the Moruga district on the island’s southern coast. The pepper was originally developed by local grower Wahid Ogeer, who selected plants that thrived in the region’s hot, humid climate.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, the pepper gained attention from researchers at the University of the West Indies and later the New Mexico State University Chile Pepper Institute. After extensive testing, the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion was officially recognized in 2012 as the world’s hottest pepper, before eventually being surpassed by newer super-hot cultivars.

Despite losing the top title, the Moruga Scorpion remains one of the most extreme peppers ever documented.

How Hot Is a Moruga Trinidad Scorpion Pepper?

Heat level:
1,550,000 – 2,009,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHUs)

The Moruga Trinidad Scorpion doesn’t attack immediately. Instead, it starts with a deceptively mild, slightly sweet and fruity flavor—then rapidly escalates into a thick, throat-searing burn that spreads well beyond the mouth.

What makes Scorpion heat unique:

• • Delayed onset (often 10–30 seconds)

  • Intense throat and chest burn

  • Long-lasting heat that can linger for 20–30 minutes or more

Eating one affects more than your taste buds, you’ll feel it in your ears, skin, and stomach. This is not a casual pepper and should always be handled and consumed with respect.

How to Grow Moruga Trinidad Scorpion Peppers From Seed

Growing Scorpion peppers is absolutely achievable for home growers, as long as you’re patient and provide the right conditions.

1. Start With the Right Setup

You’ll need:

• • Quality seed-starting mix

  • Seed trays with humidity dome

  • Consistent warmth (ideally 80–85°F soil temperature)

  • Bright light (grow lights work best early on)

  • Heat mats dramatically improve germination speed and success, so are recommended

2. Germination & Seedling Stage

• • Plant seeds shallowly in moist (not soggy) soil

  • Keep soil warm and evenly moist

  • Germination can take 7–21 days, often longer

Once seedlings emerge:

• • Provide 8–10 hours of strong light daily

  • Use gentle airflow to strengthen stems

Patience is key, super-hots often grow slowly at first.

3. Transplanting & Hardening Off

Once seedlings reach 6–8 inches tall:

• • Transplant into nutrient-rich, well-draining soil

  • Keep indoors until outdoor temperatures consistently stay above 60°F

  • Gradually harden off plants over 7–10 days

Plant outdoors in full sun with about 2 feet of spacing between plants.

4. Ongoing Care

Moruga Scorpions thrive in warm to hot conditions, ideally around 80°F.

General care tips:

• • Water deeply but avoid soggy soil

  • Reduce watering slightly once pods form to encourage heat

  • Watch closely for pests and heat stress

  • Provide temporary afternoon shade during extreme heat

From seed to harvest, expect 120–150+ days. Pods typically ripen from green to yellowish tones and finally to red.

 

Scorpion Pepper Growing FAQ

Are Scorpion peppers hard to grow?
Not particularly, but they require patience, warmth, and a long growing season.

How big do Moruga Scorpion plants get?
Typically 3–4 feet tall, with strong branching.

How many peppers does one plant produce?
Under good conditions, a healthy plant can yield hundreds of pods.

How often should Scorpion peppers be watered?
Aim for consistently moist soil. About twice weekly deep watering works well in most climates.

Moruga Trinidad Scorpion Variations & Crosses

Once Moruga Scorpions spread beyond Trinidad, growers worldwide began creating variations and crosses. These differ in color, pod shape, maturity time, and sometimes heat expression.

Popular Scorpion-related varieties include:

• • Chocolate Moruga Scorpion

  • Butch T Trinidad Scorpion (see picture below)

  • Apocalypse Scorpion

  • Yellow and Caramel Moruga types

  • Numerous Scorpion × Ghost or Reaper hybrids

This diversity is one reason Scorpion peppers remain so exciting for growers, each season can produce unique phenotypes.

What Do Scorpion Peppers Taste Like?

Before the heat overwhelms your senses, Moruga Scorpions deliver:

• • A brief sweetness

  • Fruity, almost floral notes

  • A rich pepper flavor

This makes them excellent for hot sauces, powders, and small-batch recipes, where just a tiny amount can add depth without overwhelming everything else.

How to Use Moruga Trinidad Scorpion Peppers

Because of their intensity, Scorpion peppers are best used sparingly.

Popular uses include:

• • Ultra-hot sauces

  • Dried flakes or powders

  • Spicy jams and fruit preserves

  • Carefully balanced savory dishes

Always wear gloves when handling fresh pods, and avoid touching your face or eyes.

Are Moruga Trinidad Scorpion Peppers Worth Trying?

Absolutely, if you respect what you’re working with.

While newer peppers may technically test hotter, the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion remains one of the most powerful and memorable super-hots ever grown. Its combination of extreme heat, rich flavor, and fascinating history makes it a standout for serious pepper enthusiasts.

For growers looking to push their limits or cooks looking to explore true super-hot flavor, the Moruga Trinidad Scorpion is still very much worth the experience.

Interested in growing or learning more about growing legendary super-hot peppers? Explore more pepper gardening guides and growing supplies to deepen your knowledge and set yourself up for success.