Jalapeño Info

Growing Guide

How to Grow Jalapeño Peppers

A comprehensive, step-by-step resource for growing jalapeños — whether you are starting from seed for the first time or looking to improve your harvest. Select a topic below.

It's January — time to plan your garden!

Order seeds now and prepare your indoor seed-starting setup. Start seeds indoors in late January if you are in a warmer climate. Read the guide →

Beginner

Starting from Seed vs. Seedlings

When to start seeds indoors, hardening off, and choosing between seeds and nursery transplants.

5 min read

Beginner

Soil, Watering & Sunlight

The ideal soil mix, watering schedule, and how much sun jalapeños actually need.

4 min read

Beginner

Container vs. In-Ground Growing

Pot sizes, raised beds, in-ground tips, and which method suits your space best.

4 min read

Intermediate

Fertilizing Jalapeños

NPK ratios, organic vs synthetic, and when to feed your plants at each growth stage.

5 min read

Beginner

Companion Plants

Which plants grow well alongside jalapeños and which ones to avoid.

4 min read

Intermediate

Pests & Diseases

Common problems like aphids, blossom end rot, and bacterial leaf spot — and how to handle them.

6 min read

Beginner

Harvest Timing & Storage

When to pick (green vs red), how to store fresh jalapeños, and preservation methods.

5 min read

Intermediate

Overwintering Pepper Plants

How to keep your jalapeño plants alive through winter for an earlier, bigger harvest next year.

5 min read

Beginner

Scoville Scale & Heat Levels

What Scoville heat units mean, where jalapeños rank, and how heat varies by growing conditions.

4 min read

Suggested Reading Order

New to growing jalapeños? Follow this path from seed to harvest.

1Start Seeds2Soil & Water3Fertilize4Pests5Harvest

Quick Answers

How long does it take to grow a jalapeño pepper?
From seed, jalapeños typically take 70-80 days to produce green fruit after transplanting outdoors. If you start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost, expect your first harvest roughly 4-5 months after planting seeds.
Can I grow jalapeños in a pot?
Yes. Jalapeños grow well in containers. Use a pot that is at least 5 gallons (12 inches across) with drainage holes. Use a quality potting mix and ensure 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
How hot are jalapeños on the Scoville scale?
Jalapeño peppers measure 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This places them in the mild-to-medium range. For comparison, bell peppers have 0 SHU and habaneros reach 100,000-350,000 SHU.
When should I harvest jalapeños?
Harvest jalapeños when they are firm, about 3-4 inches long, and have a glossy, dark green skin. You can also wait until they turn red for a slightly sweeter, fruitier flavor. Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut the stem.
Do jalapeño plants come back every year?
Jalapeño plants are perennials in frost-free climates (USDA zones 9-11). In colder areas, you can overwinter them indoors by pruning them back, reducing watering, and keeping them in a sunny spot at 55-65°F.