Jalapeño Gigante

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Sink your senses into Jalapeño Gigante’s glossy, deep-green pods that mature to a bold, warm red—thick-walled, impressively long, and beautifully uniform.

Expect a bright, peppery snap with a lively heat that builds pleasantly, making these peppers a standout for roasting over open flame, quick pickling, and bold fresh salsas and sauces. Grow for a vigorous 75-day season and enjoy pods that look as spectacular as they taste—straight from the garden to the jar.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Jalapeño Gigante

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Jalapeño Gigante’s thick walls give you a pepper with real structure—less shrivel, more bite—so it shows up in salsas and sauces as distinct, toothsome pieces. Roast or pickle them and the heat stays friendly and forward, never turning chalky or watery.

Best Uses

roast over flame and blister for smoky, sweetening char
quick pickle for crisp heat that cuts through richness
chop into chunky salsas and sofritos—pods hold their shape
blend into a thick, spoonable hot sauce (less watery than thinner jalapeños)

Flavor Profile

bright, green pepper snap medium-warm heat that builds then settles thick-walled pods with juicy, lightly vegetal bite

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic cotija cheese smoked pork black beans poblano

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Capsicum annuum (jalapeño) and how can I control it at home?

A very common issue is aphids, which cluster on new growth and can lead to curled leaves and sticky honeydew. Rinse plants with a strong spray of water, then apply insecticidal soap (follow label) and repeat every 5–7 days until new growth stays clear. If you see leaf spots or wilting that worsens in humid weather, remove affected leaves early and avoid wetting foliage when watering.

How often should I water Jalapeño gigante during the main growing phase?

During active flowering and fruit set, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and container size. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and make sure excess water drains away (Capsicum annuum is prone to root stress in waterlogged soil). Mulch helps stabilize moisture so fruits size up evenly.

How do I tell when my jalapeño (Capsicum annuum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 75 days after sowing when the fruits reach their full size and have a firm, glossy skin. For jalapeño-type peppers, pick when they are green and still firm; if you wait longer they will ripen toward red, which changes flavor and sweetness. Use scissors or pruners to cut the stem to avoid tearing the plant.