Chili pepper 'Jalapeno'

Capsicum annuum longum group

How to grow Chili pepper 'Jalapeno'

  • Full Sun

  • Medium

Some varieties may need to be supported with a cane or cage as the fruit develops.

Plant in a location that enjoys full sun and remember to water moderately. Jalapeno is generally regarded as a tender plant, so remember to wait until your soil is warm and the night time temperature is well above freezing before moving outside. Jalapeno needs a loamy and sandy soil with a ph of 7.0 to 8.5 (neutral soil to weakly alkaline soil).

Growing Jalapeno from seed

Sow chilli seed 6mm deep into seedling pots. Use liquid fertiliser once germinated.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 1.95 inches (5.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.2 inches (0.5 cm). For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 18°C / 64°F.

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Jalapeno about 38 days before your last frost date.

Transplanting Jalapeno

Transplant out when all danger of frost has passed. Transplant when soil is warm. Give moderate fertiliser and water. Avoid high nitrogen fertilisers as these will promote leaf growth at the expense of fruit.

Jalapeno is tender, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.

Harvesting Jalapeno

How can I tell if my jalapeno peppers are ripe?
You should be able to tell if your jalapeno peppers are ripe by their colour and size. They should appear to be a deep green colour and should be around 3 inches / 8 cm in length when they are first ready to be picked. If they are picked when green, Jalapenos will have a crisp texture and will be quite mild. If you leave the chili to ripen a little longer it will eventually turn red and have a much hotter flavour.

This variety tends to mature and be ready for harvest in late summer.

Chili pepper Jalapeno Etymology

Jalapa – aka Xalapa- is a city in and the capital of Veracruz, in E Mexico.

Jalapeno folklore & trivia

It is believed that the more cracking on the skin of a jalapeno the hotter it is.

Misspellings of Chili pepper 'Jalapeno'

Jalepeno, Jalapen, Jalapan, halapeno, Chipoltle

Other Names for Chili pepper 'Jalapeno'

Jalapeño, Jalapa, Xalapeño, Chipotle