How to Grow Jalapenos: A Guide to Growing Jalapeno Plants

Growing jalapenos is both rewarding and fun, as they add a ton of flavor to any dish and are fairly easy to grow. Today we'll show you how to grow jalapeno plants (jalapeño plants) right in your garden or in a pot or container. Jalapenos start off slow, but once they get growing, there's no stopping them!

Growing jalapenos is not hard as long as you follow some of the key instructions. One of the most important things to keep in mind when growing jalapenos, is to give them lots of sun and heat. Jalapenos prefer weather between 80-85F (26-29C), and plenty of sun. Be sure to wait before growing your jalapenos – all danger of frost has to have been gone before planting. Hot peppers and regular bell peppers are all usually grown in the same manner. They all need heat, sun, and regular watering.

The jalapeño pepper plant is a member of the hot pepper family and is actually the only pepper variety that is not allowed to fully ripen before being picked. It's a medium sized chili pepper cultivar of the species Capsicum annuum. A typical jalapeño pepper is about 2-4 inches long (5-10cm) and hangs down with a round, firm, and smooth flesh. The fiery pepper plant can have a Scoville heat unit of anywhere from 3,500 to 3,600. For the most part, the jalapeño pepper plant is picked while green, but it can also be left to turn yellow, orange, or red.

Growing Jalapeno Peppers

Planting Jalapenos:

• For best results, start seeds indoors. You can find jalapeno pepper seeds at your local nursery or online.
• Grow your jalapeno peppers indoors and transplant them outdoors after 8-12 weeks.
• While indoors, keep the jalapeno seedlings moist, but do not over water them. Jalapeno pepper seeds germinate within 10-14 days.
• Keep them warm and in a sunny place such as a a windowsill that's facing the South side.
• Once all danger of spring frost has passed, you may transplant your seedlings outdoors in the garden or in a pot.
• Choose a sunny spot as peppers love the sun and grow best when they're warm.
• Mix in mushroom compost or any other organic matter into your potting soil. Jalapeno pepper plants like good, fertile soil, and will not grow well if the soil isn't of good quality.
• Space each plant about 14-16 inches apart and 2-3 feet apart in between rows.
• The plants will eventually grow to about 3 feet in height!

Jalapeno Care:

• Jalapenos love water, so make sure to keep the soil moist at all times. Keep in mind though, that you also don't want to over water as you may inundate the plant which can cause root rot.
• Water every other day or every third day depending on the weather.
• Give your jalapeno plant a good fertilizer and keep it free of any weeds.

Harvesting Jalapenos:

• In 3 to 4 months, your jalapeno peppers should be ripe and ready to pick!
• You'll know they're ready for harvest once they reach 4-6 inches in height, they're firm, and have a bright green sheen.
• You can also leave them on the plant until they turn red – this will make them hotter, and turn them into a type of chili pepper.

Jalapeno Pepper Problems:

• Jalapeno pepper plants are part of the nightshade family, like tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes. Therefore, they're vulnerable to similar diseases and pest problems.
• To keep disease at bay, be sure to keep the area free of weeds and other debris.
• Additionally, make sure to thoroughly water your jalapeno pepper plants.
• Be wary of aphids, flea beetles, and cutworms. Use a natural insecticide to get rid of the aforementioned pests, and always keep an eye out on your plants.
• If you see worms or caterpillars, pick them off the plants immediately.
• To ensure that your plants stay healthy, check them daily for pests.

Jalapeno Pepper Information:

• Jalapeno plants produce about 25-35 peppers per growing season.
• On the Scoville scale, jalapenos range from 2,500 to 10,000 Scoville units. This all depends on the variety of jalapeno.
• The jalapeno is actually a medium sized chili pepper.
• Jalapenos are rich in vitamins A and C, contain carotene, which is an antioxidant, and can also reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.
• The scientific name for jalapenos is Capsicum annuum.