What to Plant in March
March is one of the busiest months for pepper growers. Most regions should be starting seeds indoors now if they haven't already.
🌱 Start Indoors
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño
Large plants need 24-30 inch spacing. Stake for support.
Jalafuego
Wait for soil to reach 65°F before transplanting. Heat lover!
Biker Billy Jalapeño
Large plants need extra space. 24-30 inch spacing recommended.
Thai Chili
Small peppers pack serious heat. Harvest when red for best flavor.
Habanero
Needs consistent heat. Wait for soil to reach 70°F before transplanting.
Craig's Grande Jalapeño
Legendary variety worth the wait. Stake heavily - fruits are massive!
🌶️ Ready to Harvest
Serrano
Start indoors mid-March. Serranos love heat - wait until soil is thoroughly warm before transplanting.
Poblano
Excellent choice for these zones. Very productive. Can harvest continuously from July through frost.
Thai Chili
Excellent container variety. Very ornamental with upright peppers. Productive throughout summer.
Serrano
Start indoors mid-March. Serranos love heat - wait until soil is thoroughly warm before transplanting.
Classic Jalapeño
Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant after soil warms to 60°F.
TAM Jalapeño
Excellent disease resistance. Thrives in humid climates.
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño
Large plants need 24-30 inch spacing. Stake for support.
Purple Jalapeño
Harvest when deep purple or wait until red for sweeter flavor.
NuMex Piñata Jalapeño
Each color stage has unique flavor. Harvest at preferred color.
Jalapeño M
Resistant to common pepper diseases. Great for humid regions.
Fooled You Jalapeño
Great introduction to growing peppers for families.
Jalafuego
Wait for soil to reach 65°F before transplanting. Heat lover!
Chipotle (Smoked Jalapeño)
Harvest red jalapeños for smoking. Green ones can be used fresh. 12+ week harvest.
Biker Billy Jalapeño
Large plants need extra space. 24-30 inch spacing recommended.
Fresno Pepper
Develops heat as it ripens from green to red.
Habanero
Start very early (late February/early March). Use black plastic mulch to warm soil. Expect first harvest in mid-August.
Bell Pepper
Start mid-March. Use row covers for early protection. Green peppers mature in 60-70 days, colored peppers need additional 2-3 weeks.
Poblano
Excellent choice for these zones. Very productive. Can harvest continuously from July through frost.
Anaheim
New Mexico staple. Excellent for canning and freezing.
Poblano
When dried and smoked, becomes ancho chile. Large fruits need support.
Cayenne
Harvest red for maximum heat. Great for hot sauce.
Serrano
Very productive. Harvest green or allow to ripen to red.
Thai Chili
Small peppers pack serious heat. Harvest when red for best flavor.
Habanero
Needs consistent heat. Wait for soil to reach 70°F before transplanting.
Gigantia Jalapeño
Heavy producer of jumbo fruits. Provide calcium for thick walls. Excellent for stuffing.
Craig's Grande Jalapeño
Legendary variety worth the wait. Stake heavily - fruits are massive!
Mammoth Jalapeño
Very productive. Similar to Mucho Nacho but larger. Space 24-30 inches.
Conchos Jalapeño
Mexican variety with exceptional crunch. Perfect for nacho slices.
El Jefe Jalapeño
Modern hybrid with old-school flavor. Very virus resistant.
NuMex Jalmundo
Improvement over Mucho Nacho. Even larger with milder heat.
Thai Chili
Excellent container variety. Very ornamental with upright peppers. Productive throughout summer.
Serrano
Start indoors mid-March. Serranos love heat - wait until soil is thoroughly warm before transplanting.
Habanero
Start very early (late February/early March). Use black plastic mulch to warm soil. Expect first harvest in mid-August.
Bell Pepper
Start mid-March. Use row covers for early protection. Green peppers mature in 60-70 days, colored peppers need additional 2-3 weeks.
Poblano
Excellent choice for these zones. Very productive. Can harvest continuously from July through frost.
Thai Chili
Excellent container variety. Very ornamental with upright peppers. Productive throughout summer.
NuMex Vaquero
Produces well even in hot summers when others struggle.
Jalapa Jalapeño
Heirloom from Jalapa, Veracruz. Balanced heat and complex flavor.
Zapotec Jalapeño
Heritage variety with complex taste. Great for traditional mole.
Mitla Jalapeño
Heat lovers choice. More kick than typical jalapeños.
Orange Jalapeño
Ripens green → orange (not red!). Slightly sweeter than green.
Lemon Spice Jalapeño
Ripens green → lemon yellow. Beautiful in salsa and garnishes.
Jalapeño Popper Hybrid
Uniform size perfect for consistent cooking. Commercial favorite.
Delicias Jalapeño
Regional favorite in northern Mexico. Authentic traditional flavor.
Espinalteco Jalapeño
Regional Mexican variety. Excellent for hot sauce production.
Huasteco Jalapeño
Huastecan variety handles humidity well. Fruity undertones unique.
Rayado Jalapeño
Collector's variety. Stunning ornamental value. Save seeds carefully!
Jalapeño Brown
Collector's item. Nearly impossible to find. Save seeds!
Jaloro Jalapeño
Ripens green → golden yellow. Mild heat, sweet flavor.
Señor Jalapeño
Reliable yields. Good disease resistance. Professional growers choice.
Mucho Nacho
Excellent choice for jumbo jalapeños. Thick walls perfect for stuffing. Give plants extra space and feeding.
Jalapeño Gigante
Better suited to these zones with longer season. Huge peppers perfect for roasting whole. Stake plants well.