🌶️ Jalapeño Pepper
Capsicum annuum
vegetables
fruit (culinary vegetable, hot pepper)
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6, 8+ hours); hotter peppers generally need more sun for maximum capsaicin production
💧 Water
Medium; 1, 1.5 inches per week; slight drought stress between waterings can increase heat (capsaicin levels), but prolonged stress reduces yield
🗺️ Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
🧪 Soil pH
6.0, 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
🪴 Soil Type
Well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter; responds well to phosphorus (for fruit) and moderate nitrogen
🚿 Drainage
Well-drained is critical; peppers are drought-tolerant once established but hate wet feet
📏 Spacing
18, 24 inches apart; rows 24, 36 inches apart
⏱️ Maturity
60-75 days (from transplant); 90-110 days from seed
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Fruit (whole pepper, fresh or dried)
🍽️ Leaves (edible when cooked, used in some Asian cuisines)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (6)
Repels aphids, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies; aromatic oils may deter pepper weevils
Attracts beneficial insects and may improve pepper flavor; antifungal properties can reduce damping-off
Attracts hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and ladybugs , all aphid predators; does not compete significantly
Suppresses root-knot nematodes; repels aphids and whiteflies; attracts hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids
Trap crop for aphids; repels whiteflies; edible flowers add color
Ground cover suppresses weeds; strong scent confuses and repels aphids and spider mites
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Beans (pole/bush)
Beans are heavy nitrogen fixers which can cause excessive foliage growth in peppers at the expense of fruit production; vining beans can also shade out peppers (conflicting: some sources say beans are neutral)
⚠️ Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli)
Allelopathic root exudates from brassicas may stunt pepper growth
Allelopathic , inhibits growth of almost all garden plants including peppers
💊 Medicinal Uses
Medicinal Properties
- Capsaicin: topical analgesic for arthritis, muscle pain, and neuropathy; active ingredient in many OTC pain creams
- Antimicrobial , capsaicin has been shown to inhibit certain foodborne bacteria including H. pylori
- May boost metabolism and promote thermogenesis; studied for weight management
- Rich in vitamin C and vitamin A; contains quercetin (anti-inflammatory flavonoid)
📝 Growing Notes
Hotter when stressed , less water and slightly poorer soil produce hotter peppers. Remove first flowers to encourage stronger plants. Can be overwintered indoors in containers (perennial in frost-free areas). Scoville units: 2,500, 8,000 SHU for standard jalapeño.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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