Jalapeño
First comes the bright, grassy snap of fresh green—then a clean, fiery heat that blooms quickly and lingers with a peppery, slightly sweet edge.
Jalapeño peppers mature to glossy, medium-green pods that turn deeper red when fully ripe, with thick, crisp walls and a classic tapered shape that holds its bite. Grow Jalapeño for bold salsas, quick pickles, and roasting-ready heat—an everyday chili that turns simple dishes into something memorable.
Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright
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Enter your ZIP for local crop dates
Jalapeño Planting Dates by USDA Zone
Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Sow / Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Protected Environment Only | ||
| Zone 1b | Protected Environment Only | ||
| Zone 2a | Mar 30th | Jul 20th | Oct 3rd – Aug 29th |
| Zone 2b | Mar 20th | Jul 10th | Sep 23rd – Aug 25th |
| Zone 3a | Mar 20th | Jul 10th | Sep 23rd – Sep 1st |
| Zone 3b | Mar 24th | Jul 14th | Sep 27th – Sep 21st |
| Zone 4a | Mar 20th | Jul 10th | Sep 23rd – Sep 24th |
| Zone 4b | Mar 18th | Jul 8th | Sep 21st – Sep 27th |
| Zone 5a | Mar 13th | Jul 3rd | Sep 16th – Sep 30th |
| Zone 5b | Mar 9th | Jun 29th | Sep 12th – Oct 5th |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6th | Jun 26th | Sep 9th – Oct 10th |
| Zone 6b | Feb 28th | Jun 20th | Sep 3rd – Oct 16th |
| Zone 7a | Feb 23rd | Jun 15th | Aug 29th – Oct 20th |
| Zone 7b | Feb 13th | Jun 5th | Aug 19th – Oct 28th |
| Zone 8a | Feb 4th | May 27th | Aug 10th – Nov 5th |
| Zone 8b | Jan 26th | May 18th | Aug 1st – Nov 12th |
| Zone 9a | Jan 9th | May 1st | Jul 15th – Nov 26th |
| Zone 9b | Dec 15th | Apr 6th | Jun 20th – Dec 9th |
| Zone 10a | Continuous Production | ||
| Zone 10b | Continuous Production | ||
| Zone 11a | Continuous Production | ||
| Zone 11b | Continuous Production | ||
| Zone 12a | Continuous Production | ||
| Zone 12b | Continuous Production | ||
| Zone 13a | Continuous Production | ||
| Zone 13b | Continuous Production | ||
Crop Details
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 75 |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Growth Habit | Upright |
| Support Needed | Stake |
| Planting Depth | Normal |
| Germination Temp (°F) | 80 |
| Min Soil Temp (°F) | 60 |
| Min Night Temp (°F) | 50 |
| Harden Off (days) | 10 |
Sowing Tips
Transplant Conditions
Wait until soil reaches 60°F and nights stay above 50°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 days first.
Expert Note
For the best jalapeño flavor, transplant only when nights are reliably warm (and soil is at least ~60°F), then keep moisture steady to avoid fruit cracking.