"Aji" is not a species, a heat level or a pod shape. It is the South American word for chili pepper, and it appears in the names of hundreds of unrelated cultivars. The WikiPepper database holds 183 records whose names begin with Aji, and they split across four species: 114 C. baccatum, 50 C. chinense, 10 C. frutescens, 7 C. annuum, plus two interspecific crosses. A name starting with Aji tells you almost nothing about how the plant will grow.
What does "aji" actually mean?
It comes from axí, a word in Taíno, the language of the Caribbean people the Spanish met first. Spanish took it early and carried it south. Today ají runs from Panama through Spanish-speaking South America, while Mexico and Central America use chile, from the Nahuatl. The two words mean the same thing in their own regions.
That has a consequence worth knowing before you shop for seed. Since ají already means pepper, most of these names are descriptions rather than cultivar names: Aji Amarillo reads as "yellow pepper", Aji Dulce as "sweet pepper", Aji Rojo as "red pepper". Growers in different valleys attach the same description to different plants, which is how the database ends up holding Aji Rojo, Aji Colorado and Aji Red as separate records.
Is every aji a Capsicum baccatum?
No, though the odds favor it. About 62 percent of aji records in the database are C. baccatum, which is the species most South American growers reach for, and which archaeologists place as the first chile cultivated on the Peruvian coast. The rest are not. Aji Limo, Aji Charapita, Aji Chombo and Aji Cachucha are all C. chinense, and that changes germination time, season length and heat tolerance. Buy an aji on the assumption it is a baccatum and you may find yourself with a plant that wants three more weeks under lights and a month longer to ripen.
Common ajis, with database figures
| Name | Species | SHU range | Notes |
| Aji Amarillo | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 | Ripens orange despite the name. |
| Aji Panca | contested, see below | 1,000 to 1,500 | Almost always sold dried and burgundy. |
| Aji Limo | C. chinense | 50,000 to 100,000 | Red, white and yellow strains. |
| Aji Charapita | C. chinense | 30,000 to 50,000 | Pea-sized, Amazonian, slow to start. |
| Aji Chombo | C. chinense | 100,000 to 350,000 | Panamanian; habanero-class heat. |
| Aji Cristal | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 | Chilean, picked green for pebre. |
| Aji Cachucha | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 | Habanero aroma, no burn. |
| Aji Dulce | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 | Caribbean seasoning pepper. |
| Aji Guaguao | C. frutescens | 30,000 to 50,000 | Cuban wild type, upright pods. |
| Aji Rico | C. baccatum | 1,000 to 5,000 | Hybrid bred for short seasons. |
Why baccatum dominates the category
Domestication explains it. C. baccatum was probably domesticated in Bolivia, and the archaeological record from Huaca Prieta and Punta Grande on the Peruvian coast shows it as the first chile cultivated there. Peru remains the most Capsicum-diverse country in the world, and its national germplasm bank at INIA holds more than 700 accessions, including 413 of ají across four species and 296 of rocoto. Centuries of local selection in isolated valleys produced the flood of baccatum names the seed trade now sells.
Baccatum plants share traits worth planning for. They grow tall and sprawling, often six feet and as wide, so they need staking and generous spacing. Their flowers carry yellow or green spots on white petals, which is the fastest field identification in the genus. Flavor runs fruity and citrusy, and heat usually lands in the moderate band rather than the extremes.
Where the classification is contested
Aji Panca is the clearest case. Peruvian sources and The Chile Pepper Almanac both classify it as C. chinense, citing multiple flowers per node and the calyx constriction that marks the species. Other references list it as C. baccatum, and the WikiPepper record currently reads baccatum. Until someone runs the plants side by side, treat the species line on a Panca seed packet as unverified.
Accession numbers cause a second kind of confusion. Several names in circulation, such as Aji Picante, attach to more than one USDA PI accession, and those accessions are not the same plant. PI 257068 and PI 260535 both travel as Aji Picante. When a name carries a PI number, the number is the identity and the name is decoration.
What to do before you sow
Confirm the species before anything else, because it sets your indoor start date, your spacing and your support. Check whether the name carries a PI or CAP accession number, and record it if it does. Expect regional descriptors, Amarillo, Rojo, Dulce, Verde, to repeat across unrelated plants. Every record on this site carries a Universal Pepper Number that encodes species, color, size, shape and heat in one string, which settles most of these arguments faster than a common name ever will. See the companion article on aji origins and classification for the deeper history.
Every aji in the database
All 183 records whose name starts with Aji, straight from the WikiPepper database, with the species and SHU range each one carries. Where a species reads "not recorded", nobody has filled it in yet. Search any of these by name in the pepper database for the full record.
| Name | Species | SHU range |
| Aji Ahuachapan | C. baccatum | 2,500 to 10,000 |
| Aji Ahuachapáu | C. baccatum | 0 to 500 |
| Aji Ajuicybana | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Amarillo | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Angelo | C. baccatum | 4,000 to 6,000 |
| Aji Apricot | C. baccatum | 15,000 to 30,000 |
| Aji Arnaucho | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Arnaucho Amarillo Yellow | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Arnaucho Morado White Paste | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Arrugada | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Ayucllo | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Ayuyo | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Ayuyo Purple | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Banana | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Benito | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Bird | C. frutescens | 50,000 to 100,000 |
| Aji Bird Baby | C. frutescens | 50,000 to 100,000 |
| Aji Blacareta | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Blacareta Brown Vallegrande | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Bodysnatcher | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Bolivian | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Bolsa de Dulce | C. baccatum | 100 to 500 |
| Aji Bravo | C. frutescens | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Cacho de Cabra | C. annuum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Cachuca × Habanero | C. chinense | 100,000 to 350,000 |
| Aji Cachucha | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Cachucha Boriken | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Cachucha Boriken Purple | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Cachucha Cacique | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Cachucha Creole | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Cachucha Purple Small Splotched | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Cachucha Purple Splotched | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Cachuchón | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Cajamarca | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Calabaza | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Calatenango | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Catalan | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Céreo | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Cereza | C. annuum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Challuaruro | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Challuaruro Amarillo | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Champion | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Charapita | C. chinense | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Charapita × Fidalgo Roxa | C. chinense | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Charapita × Habanada | C. chinense | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Charapita × Habanada Orange | C. baccatum × C. chinense | 30,000 to 100,000 |
| Aji Charapita Iquitos | C. chinense | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Charapita Peach | C. chinense | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Chicotillo | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Chileno | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Chivato | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Chombo | C. chinense | 100,000 to 350,000 |
| Aji Churcu | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Cirel | C. frutescens | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Cito | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Claudio | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Cochabamba | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Colorado | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Colorado Rojo | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Confusion | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Confusion × Brazilian Starfish | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 30,000 |
| Aji Conquistador | C. baccatum | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Aji Criollo | C. frutescens | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Cristal | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Crystal Variegated | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji de Belen | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji de Boton | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji de Guioso | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji de Jardin | C. annuum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji de Mesa | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji de Ratan | C. frutescens | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji de Sazonar | C. frutescens | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Delight | C. baccatum | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Aji Diablo | C. annuum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Dulce | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Dulce Amarillo | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Dulce Habanero | C. chinense | 100,000 to 350,000 |
| Aji Dulce Orange | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Dulce Pepon | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Dulce Puerto Rico | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Dulce Rojo | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Ecuadorian | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Ecuadorian Orange | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Ethiopian Fire | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Fantasy | C. baccatum | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Aji Fantasy Apricot | C. baccatum | 2,000 to 5,000 |
| Aji Fantasy Cream | C. baccatum | 2,000 to 5,000 |
| Aji Fantasy Orange | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Fantasy Sparkly | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Fantasy Sparkly White | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Fantasy Stripey | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Finlandia | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Flor | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 30,000 |
| Aji Flor Morado | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 30,000 |
| Aji Gold Limon | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Golden | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Guaguao | C. frutescens | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Guru | C. baccatum | not recorded |
| Aji Gusanito | C. baccatum | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Guyana | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Habanero | C. chinense | 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Aji Huanuco | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Imbabura | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Jamy | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Jobito | C. chinense | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Jobito Dulce | C. chinense | 0 to 100 |
| Aji Lemon | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Lemon Balls | C. baccatum | 15,000 to 30,000 |
| Aji Lemon Drop | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Lily Teolinda | C. baccatum | 5,000 |
| Aji Limo | C. chinense | 50,000 to 100,000 |
| Aji Limo White | C. chinense | 50,000 to 100,000 |
| Aji Limo Yellow | C. chinense | 50,000 to 100,000 |
| Aji Little Finger | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Little Finger Orange | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Llaneron | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Mango | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Mango × JPGS | C. baccatum × C. chinense | 50,000 to 300,000 |
| Aji Mango Drop | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Marchant | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Margariteño | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Margariteno Red | C. chinense | 0 to 1,000 |
| Aji Melocoton | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Michigan | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 30,000 |
| Aji Minas Gerais | C. chinense | 100,000 to 350,000 |
| Aji Mochero | C. chinense | 30,000 to 60,000 |
| Aji Monagre | C. annuum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Monika | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Mono | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Norteño | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Omnicolor | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Orange | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Orange Drop | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Orange PF | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Orchid | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Pacay | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Panca | C. baccatum | 1,000 to 1,500 |
| Aji Panca Lima | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Pasco | C. frutescens | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Peach | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Peanut | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Pen 3-1 | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Penec | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Penec Orange | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Penec Red | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Penec Yellow | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Pequante | C. frutescens | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Peri Peri | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Perù | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Perù Yellow | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Peruvian | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Picante | C. annuum | 30,000 to 80,000 |
| Aji Picante Venezuela | C. annuum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Pilange | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Pineapple | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Piura | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Pucomucho | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Rainforest | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Red | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Rico | C. baccatum | 1,000 to 5,000 |
| Aji Rojo | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Rojo PF | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Rosita | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Rosita Dulce | C. chinense | 0 to 800 |
| Aji Rurrenabaque | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Russian | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Russian Yellow | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Santa Cruz | C. baccatum | 300 to 5,000 |
| Aji Santa Rosa | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Santa Rosa Blanco | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Serranito | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Sopa Puerto Rico | C. baccatum | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Aji Strawberry Drop | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Tamarindo | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Tapachula | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Umba | C. chinense | 100,000 to 500,000 |
| Aji Umba Yellow | C. chinense | 250,000 to 350,000 |
| Aji Valle del Canca | C. baccatum | 15,000 to 30,000 |
| Aji Verde | C. baccatum | 1,000 to 8,000 |
| Aji White Fantasy | C. baccatum | 1,000 to 15,000 |
| Aji White Lightning Bolt | C. baccatum | 15,000 to 30,000 |
| Aji Yellow Drop | C. baccatum | 10,000 to 50,000 |
| Aji Yuquitania | C. chinense | 10,000 to 50,000 |
Sources & Further Reading
- Perry, L., et al. Starch Fossils and the Domestication and Dispersal of Chili Peppers (Capsicum spp. L.) in the Americas. Science 315:986-988, 2007.
- Albrecht, E., et al. Genetic diversity in Capsicum baccatum is significantly influenced by its ecogeographical distribution. BMC Genetics 13:68, 2012.
- Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT. Catálogo de ajíes (Capsicum spp.) peruanos promisorios conservados en el banco de semillas del INIA, Perú.
- USDA ARS. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), accession search.
- Priest, C.T., and D.J. Austin. The Chile Pepper Almanac. Harambe Publishing, 2026. Amazon