Jalapeño peppers are easy to grow and care for, whether started from seeds or bought as starter plants. They thrive in well-draining soil, need plenty of sunlight, and are perfect for garden beds or containers. With the right care, these self-pollinating plants produce a vibrant and spicy harvest, adding flavor to various dishes.
Starting from seed vs. buying a starter plant
You can choose one or both options! Peppers are simple to grow from seeds when planted in late spring. My tomato seed-starting guide can be easily adapted for peppers since their growing needs are almost identical.
Jalapeño plants, on the other hand, are commonly available at garden centers and home improvement stores. I even stumbled upon a purple variety one year!
Container or Garden Bed?
Jalapeños are incredibly versatile and can thrive in both garden beds and containers. When planting directly in the ground, ensure the soil is rich and well-aerated, with a mix of peat and compost for added nutrients. Proper drainage is essential—test it by filling the planting hole halfway with water. If the water drains quickly without pooling, you’re good to go.
Personally, I now prefer growing my chile peppers in 14-inch pots using the following soil blend:
- 1 part potting soil
- 1 part compost
- 1 part peat moss
- 1 part perlite
- A handful of Plant-tone fertilizer
Select a durable container with drainage holes. For added stability, especially since jalapeño plants can reach over two feet tall and become top-heavy when laden with fruit, place a layer of pebbles at the pot’s bottom before adding soil.
While jalapeño plants have sturdy central stems, they benefit from additional support. You can use a single stake for the main stem, but I personally prefer using cages, as they provide extra support for branches heavy with peppers later in the growing season.
How Many Plants Should You Grow?
Jalapeño peppers, like tomatoes and potatoes, belong to the nightshade family. A key characteristic of nightshades is that they are self-pollinating, meaning their flowers contain both male and female components, eliminating the need for external pollinators like insects to help them produce fruit.
As a result, you can grow a single jalapeño plant and still enjoy a bountiful harvest.
Sunlight, Watering and Fertilizing
Jalapeños, like all chile peppers, thrive in sunlight. Be sure to plant them in a location where they will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, ideally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
They also require consistent moisture, so water them when the top inch of soil feels dry. During particularly hot weather, this might mean watering daily. Jalapeños grown in containers will dry out more quickly and require more frequent watering, but be cautious not to overwater as this can cause root rot.
It’s essential to use containers with proper drainage to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. In very hot climates, you can even use ollas, small clay vessels, to manage water levels effectively, even for potted plants.
When it comes to feeding, a general-purpose vegetable fertilizer works well. Follow the product’s directions, usually applying every 2-3 weeks, with an emphasis on fertilizing during flowering and fruiting stages to support a healthy crop.
Additionally, jalapeños love magnesium, and my secret for promoting healthy growth is using Epsom salts. Once a month, sprinkle a tablespoon of the salts around the base of established plants and water it in. This little trick can lead to a more abundant harvest!
Are Jalapeños Annuals or Perennials?
In growing zones 2-9, jalapeños are considered annuals because the winter temperatures in these regions drop too low for the plants to survive. However, in zones 10-11, where the climate remains warmer, jalapeños can continue growing throughout the year.
How Hot is a Jalapeño?
The heat level of chili peppers is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), and jalapeños typically range between 2,500 and 8,000 SHU. The exact heat can vary depending on the growing conditions and the specific variety of the pepper. This places jalapeños in the middle range of the pepper heat scale—not overwhelmingly hot, but certainly packing enough spice to make an impression.
For comparison, bell peppers have a Scoville rating of zero (completely mild), while habanero peppers can reach between 100,000 and 350,000 SHU. Jalapeños may not rival the intensity of a ghost pepper or a Carolina Reaper, but be careful not to touch your eyes after handling them!
How to Tell When a Jalapeño is Ripe
Jalapeños are edible at any stage of their growth. When they are green, they are often harvested at this early stage, which is why most jalapeños found in stores are green. However, if left to fully mature, jalapeños turn a vibrant red. Red jalapeños tend to be spicier than their green counterparts but also have a sweeter flavor, similar to how red bell peppers are sweeter than green ones.
Green jalapeños have a sharp, slightly bitter taste beneath the spice, while red ones offer a deeper, sweeter flavor. You can also harvest jalapeños in their in-between stage—when they’re transitioning from green to red—for a balanced combination of both flavors.
Fun fact: Chipotle peppers are simply red jalapeños that have been dried and smoked. While the smoking process doesn’t increase the heat, it does add a rich, smoky flavor, and chipotles are often found preserved in adobo sauce.
A Tip for Jalapeño Lovers: The flavor of jalapeños can become more intense if the plant has been exposed to some stress, like an unexpected cold snap early in the growing season. This stress may cause the peppers to develop thin white lines, indicating a stretch in the pepper’s skin. Peppers with these striations are not only safe to eat but often have enhanced flavor.
While you shouldn’t deliberately stress your jalapeño plants, if you notice these markings, don’t discard the peppers—you might just have a more flavorful harvest on your hands!
How to Properly Harvest Jalapeños
Jalapeño peppers grow on long, slender stems, and while it might be tempting to simply tug the peppers off, doing so risks damaging the plant. The stems are thin but sturdy, and pulling on them can cause part of the stem to tear away.
Instead, use a pair of scissors or pruning shears to carefully snip the stem, leaving the plant intact to continue producing throughout the season.
If you’re sensitive to capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in peppers, consider wearing gloves while handling the jalapeños to avoid irritation.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with attentive care, jalapeño plants can sometimes encounter issues. Fortunately, most problems have simple fixes. If the leaves are turning yellow or dropping off, this is often a sign of overwatering, underwatering, or a lack of nutrients. Review your watering routine and adjust as needed, and consider applying a balanced fertilizer to address potential nutrient deficiencies.
If your plants seem weak or leggy, they may need more sunlight. Remember, jalapeños thrive in 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day.
Holes in your jalapeño leaves or fruit could indicate pests like aphids, cutworms, or pepper maggots. Organic solutions, such as neem oil, insecticidal soap, or introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs, can help manage these pests effectively.
Jalapeños are not only perfect for spicing up salsas, but they’re also delicious in chilis, soups, and as toppings for tacos and burritos. They’re fantastic when pickled, adding a flavorful kick to any dish.
Incorporating jalapeños into your vegetable garden is always a smart choice. Not only do they bring vibrant color to your garden, but they also add a spicy twist to your culinary creations.
Plus, they’re a great introduction to the world of hot peppers. Get ready for an exciting journey into spicy gardening!
Conclusion:
Jalapeño peppers are easy to grow in both containers and garden beds, requiring well-draining soil, plenty of sunlight, and regular watering. With minimal care, these self-pollinating plants yield a flavorful harvest, perfect for enhancing your favorite dishes. Enjoy the vibrant taste of homegrown jalapeños with simple growing techniques!
