Growing Jalapenos
Jalapenos are forgiving, prolific, and one of the few peppers that actually enjoy a hot South Carolina summer. A few plants will keep you in salsa all season.
How to Grow Jalapenos
Planting
Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Jalapenos germinate faster than bell peppers but still want warm soil, a heat mat helps a lot if you’re starting early. Transplant after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed.
Watering & feeding
Jalapenos are more drought-tolerant than bell peppers once established, but consistent watering gives you milder, thicker-walled peppers, stressed plants run hotter. Feed lightly every month; too much nitrogen means lots of leaves and fewer peppers.
Harvest
Pick when firm and glossy dark green, usually 3–4 inches long. Left longer, they’ll start to show the thin white “corking” streaks and turn red, still good, just hotter and slightly sweeter. Regular picking keeps the plant producing.
Grows Well With
Peppers cross-pollinate more readily than people expect. Keep jalapenos some distance from bell peppers, or you might get a bell pepper with more bite than you bargained for. See all our companion planting pairs →
When to Plant
Start indoors early-to-mid February, 8 to 10 weeks before last frost. Peppers are slow to germinate, so use lights or a heat mat. Transplant after mid-April. See the full planting calendar →
Buy the Seeds We Use
From the Seed Center
Shop Jalapeno Seeds
$1.25
From the Kitchen: Recipes Using Jalapenos
Jalapeno-Herb Cornbread
Savory skillet cornbread with a real crust, made with our own jalapenos and fresh herbs.
Bell Pepper & Jalapeno Jelly
Sweet-heat pepper jelly, the jar that shows up at every gift exchange and church potluck we've been part…
Spicy Jalapeno Margarita
Made with our own jalapenos. Not for the faint of heart.