Christopher Phillips
Location: United States (Alabama)
Known For: Creator of Reaper × Moruga crosses and high-gnarl, ultra-wrinkled phenotype lines; founder of Alabama Pepper Patch
Christopher Phillips is a U.S.-based chili breeder and grower from Alabama, widely recognized for his dedication to developing some of the most aggressively shaped, deeply wrinkled superhot pepper cultivars. Operating under the label Alabama Pepper Patch, Phillips has become known for his obsession with "gnarl" — the extreme surface textures and tails that define the aesthetics of many of today’s superhots.
Phillips has focused much of his breeding work on multi-generational crosses involving Carolina Reaper, Moruga Scorpion, and 7 Pot strains. His most well-known hybrids often carry descriptors like “wrinkled,” “monster,” or “gnarly,” and have helped shift breeder focus toward intense surface morphology as a visual signal of potency.
While he isn’t the creator of the Carolina Reaper or Moruga Scorpion, Phillips has developed several F1–F4 lines that blend the best of these peppers’ genetics into new forms — often with stronger stingers, thicker walls, or a more immediate burn. Some of these crosses are now being grown and refined by other hobbyists under unofficial names like Monster Mash, Moruga Gnarl, or Phillips Peach Reaper.
Christopher is also admired for sharing his breeding processes in public — including parent lines, pod photos across generations, and honest notes about instability, oddballs, and off-types. He frequently posts in grower groups, supporting beginner growers and encouraging open collaboration.
Notable Contributions:
- Reaper × Moruga ultra-wrinkle hybrid lines
- Advocacy for gnarly phenotypes as aesthetic/heat benchmarks
- Founder of Alabama Pepper Patch
- Regular contributor to grower discussions and community seed banks
Legacy:
Christopher Phillips helped popularize the “look” of today’s meanest peppers — prioritizing extreme pod texture as an indicator of both style and substance. His transparency and grit have earned him respect across all levels of the chili community.
Sources / References
- Facebook: Pepper Lovers Community – Posts by Christopher Phillips
- Instagram – @alabamapepperpatch (archived pod photos and crosses)
- YouTube grow journals and reviews of “Monster” or “Gnarly” pods attributed to his lines
- White Hot Peppers, PepperLover.com – occasional seed listings with Phillips crosses
- Grow logs from hobbyists referencing “Phillips Wrinkle” or “APP” (Alabama Pepper Patch) strains