Learn how to grow jalapenos right in your backyard for loads of peppers to preserve, cook, eat and share! I love growing jalapenos to preserve as cowboy candy or stuffed with cream cheese and bacon!
Why I Love to Grow Jalapenos
Growing jalapenos is a rewarding experience... You get a bountiful harvest for so little effort! Jalapeños have become one of my favorite garden plants, and there are plenty of reasons why I adore these fiery little peppers:
The thrill of the spice! There's something fun about growing jalapenos. Jalapeños bring the perfect level of heat to so many dishes... They're a great garnish on chili, enchiladas, and cheese and crackers.
It's so EASY to Grow Jalapenos! Jalapeño plants are really low-maintenance in the garden. They don't demand constant attention, and as long as I provide them with some sunshine, well-draining soil, and occasional watering, they reward us with abundant harvests!
Cooking: Jalapeños are great for topping tacos, chili, candied on crackers, on pizza, and stuffed with cream cheese. From fresh salsas and pickled toppings to stuffed appetizers and hot sauces, these peppers can transform any dish into a flavor-packed fiesta!
One of the best things about growing jalapeños is the instant reward. Once they ripen, I can pluck them straight from the plant and use them immediately in tacos, salsas, salads, etc. There's nothing quite like the taste of freshly harvested produce, right from your backyard;)
Growing jalapeno plants at home makes us more self sustainable. It reduces the need for store-bought produce, and ensures i have fresh, pesticide-free peppers straight from my organic garden to preserve and enjoy!
How to Grow Jalapenos
Pick the Perfect Spot to Grow Jalapenos
First things first, find a sunny location in your vegetable garden that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Jalapeño pepper plants love full sun, and this will give them the energy they need to flourish. Make sure the soil has good drainage to prevent waterlogged roots.
You also need a spot with plenty of organic matter in the soil, or use compost to enrich it with essential nutrients. Make sure you don't plant hot peppers next to bell peppers, because they'll cross pollinate and your sweet peppers will be hot!
Hot or Mild Jalapeno Peppers
Soil temperature can really impact the heat level of jalapeno plants... Hot weather and warmer soil temperatures usually produce of spicy peppers. When jalapeno plats experience stress from heat, they increase capsaicin production making them hotter.
BUT the pepper variety and genetics are the main factor determining spice level! Growing jalapeno pepper plants in cooler weather will help produce milder jalapeno peppers;)
Jalapenos come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and heat levels, offering something for everyone. Here are a few popular varieties:
Classic Jalapenos
- Heat level: Medium-hot
- Shape: Cone-shaped
- Color: Typically green when immature, turning red when ripe
- Characteristics: The classic jalapeno, known for its balanced flavor and moderate heat.
Fresno Pepper - Jalapeno variety
- Heat level: Medium-hot
- Shape: Cone-shaped
- Color: Green when immature, turning red or orange when ripe
- Characteristics: A larger version of the jalapeno with a similar heat level.
Banana Peppers - Jalapeno Variety
- Heat level: Mild
- Shape: Long and slender, resembling a banana
- Color: Yellow or orange
- Characteristics: A milder alternative to jalapenos, often used in pickled dishes.
Poblano Peppers - Not a true Jalapeno.
- Heat level: Mild
- Shape: Large and heart-shaped
- Color: Green when immature, turning dark brown or black when ripe
- Characteristics: Often used in Mexican cuisine for its mild flavor and thick flesh.
Cayenne Peppers - Not a true Jalapeno.
- Heat level: Hot
- Shape: Slender and curved
- Color: Red
- Characteristics: Known for its intense heat and bright red color.
These are just a few examples of the many jalapeno varieties available.
Planting Jalapenos from Seeds to Sprouts
The best time to plant jalapeno pepper seeds depends on your climate:
Warm climates: Plant jalapeño seeds in early spring or fall when temperatures are mild but not extreme.
Cold climates with short growing seasons: Start jalapeno seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost and transplant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.
Plant the seeds about ¼ inch deep and keep the soil slightly moist until the sprouts come up.... Make sure to harden them off good so they do well when you transplant them into the garden after the last frost date. Or just plant starts!
Make sure to give your pepper plants plenty of room. Jalapeno plants get about 2 feet wide and they need room for good air circulation between them to prevent disease.
As young plants grow, they can become a bit unruly. You can gently prune them to remove dead leaves and encourage bushier growth. Use garden stakes to support the plants as they grow taller, especially if you're growing larger varieties.
Watering Jalapeno Plants
Regular watering: Jalapeño plants like consistent watering, but not waterlogged soil. We put our jalapeno plants on a drip line that waters for an hour a day in the hottest part of the summer, then we reduce watering to every other day when temperatures cool off. Check soil moisture regularly, and when the top inch feels dry, it's time to water. Be careful not to overwater, as it can lead to root rot.
Fertilizing
Jalapeños are hearty eaters, so don't be stingy with the fertilizers. Feed them with a balanced fertilizer at planting time and every 4-6 weeks throughout the season. This makes sure they have all the nutrients they need to produce abundant, juicy peppers.
Jalapeno Pollination
jalapeño peppers can self-pollinate, but attracting bees can really increase their fruit production! To attract bees, and increase pollination, we plant flowers including zinnias and lavender next to our jalapeno plants!
I like to separate my jalapeno plants form my sweet pepper plants with flowers. This year I planted lavender between by hot and mild peppers to help prevent cross pollination! I've had jalapenos cross pollinate with sweet peppers, and that was a bummer... My sweet peppers were too spicy for the kids to pick and enjoy that year. So I'm more careful now!
Now comes the hard part—waiting for those jalapeños to ripen. Patience is key here, my friend. The first peppers usually appear within 60-80 days after planting. As they grow, you'll notice them changing color from green to red, orange, or even purple, depending on the variety.
Pest & Disease Control
Pests and disease can be common issues when growing jalapenos.
Common Plant Pests: Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies can be a problem when growing jalapenos. You can help control and prevent these pests use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other organic pest control methods. You can also help control bad pests by introducing beneficial bugs like: ladybugs or lacewings to naturally control pests!
Jalapeno Plant Disease Prevention: To prevent disease use proper spacing so plants get good air circulation between them. Also, avoid overhead watering because it can cause fungal diseases like powdery mildew and blight.
Fruit production & Harvest Time
When your jalapeños are a vibrant green and firm to the touch, it's time to harvest! I let red jalapeños develop by leaving them on the plat a little longer so I have some color variation too. To pick jalapenos, gently twist or cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a small portion of the stem intact.
Don't worry if you've got more than you can handle; jalapeños are easily preserved by pickling jalapenos, making canning cowboy candy, drying and crushing for seasoning, or freezing!
Sharing the Love
Now that you know how to grow a ton of jalapeños, share the fruits of your labor with friends and family... They'll be thrilled to receive a fiery gift from your garden.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!