A gardener in Switzerland has grown the world’s longest chilli pepper for the third time, according to Guinness World Records.
Jürg Wiesli’s latest chilli measured 1 foot and 8.6 inches long — about 52 centimetres, or nearly twice the length of a standard 30cm school ruler.
Wiesli first broke the record back in October 2017, with a chilli measuring 1 foot and 5.7 inches, or about 45cm. He broke his own record again the following year, growing a pepper measuring 1 foot and 7.9 inches, or about 50cm.
His newest chilli, measured on 11 August 2026, beat that record once more.
Wiesli shared his growing secrets with Guinness World Records, explaining that he starts the seeds indoors in March, under grow lights kept at 28 degrees Celsius. “I plant them out in the garden at the end of April, once the danger of frost has passed,” he said.
He said the soil needs to be well prepared with plenty of mature compost, along with regular watering and a balanced fertiliser. “Not too much, though! Otherwise, they just produce lots of leaves instead of chilies,” he said.
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