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Jalapeño Pepper

Capsicum annuum 'Jalapeño'

Vegetable

Jalapeño peppers are prolific warm-season producers of medium-heat fruit used fresh, pickled, or roasted. They share the same cultivation requirements as sweet peppers but are slightly more heat-tolerant.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Soil

Rich, well-draining loam; pH 6.0–6.8

Spacing

18–24 inches

Days to Maturity

70–80 days from transplant

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 5–11

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

When to Plant

  • Start Indoors

    8–10 weeks before last frost

  • Transplant

    After last frost, soil 65°F+

  • Harvest

    70–80 days; harvest green or leave to ripen red

Organic Growing Tips

  • Interplant with basil and marigolds to create a fragrant barrier against aphids and flea beetles.

  • Apply kaolin clay spray to deter flea beetles from pitting the foliage of young plants.

  • Water consistently at the base — uneven moisture causes blossom end rot.

  • Harvest fruits regularly, even green, to encourage the plant to set more flowers.

Common Pests

  • Aphids
  • Flea Beetle
  • Spider Mites
  • Pepper Weevil
  • Bacterial Spot

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.