Jalapeño Peppers

Jalapeño peppers are the most popular hot pepper in the U.S. We use them in salads, in salsa, sliced on nachos, and on pizza. Jalapeños are great for pickling or cooking, and their mild heat won’t overpower a dish—or your palate. Most jalapeños tend to grow to about 2 inches long, although there are some varieties that top off at 5 inches!

Scoville scale rating:

• 3,000 to 8,000 SHU

Sun exposure:

• full sun

Soil pH:

• 6.5 to 7.0

Days to maturity:

• 70 days after planting out

Spacing:

• 18 inches apart; rows 2 to 3 feet apart

Height and spread:

• 43 inches tall; 37-inch spread

Moisture

• 1 inch per week

Notes

• prefers well-drained soil
• peppers grow to 2 to 5 inches, depending on cultivar
• good for pickling, stuffing, slicing, and salsa
• unless you live in the Deep South, start your seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before transplanting, which you should plan for two to three weeks after your expected last frost

Do you grow jalapeño peppers? If so, please tell us your top tips for ensuring a delicious harvest.