Plant field guide
Jalapeño Pepper
The most popular hot pepper in America with a moderate, accessible heat level (2,500-8,000 Scoville units). Compact, productive plants yield dozens of thick-walled peppers perfect for salsa, poppers, and pickling.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Capsicum annuum 'Jalapeño'
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 24 in (61 cm) – 36 in (91 cm)
- Spread
- 14 in (36 cm) – 18 in (46 cm)
- Spacing
- 14 in (36 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–11; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: June, July.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Green jalapeños are milder; red ripe ones are hotter and slightly sweeter. Stress (less water, more sun) increases heat. Chipotle peppers are simply smoke-dried red jalapeños. Very productive plants.
Pruning
Pinch early flowers to strengthen the plant. Remove any diseased leaves.
Fertilizer
Balanced vegetable fertilizer (5-10-10)
At planting and when first fruits set
Mulch
2-3 inches of straw or shredded leaves.