Padrón

Family: Solanaceae Mildly Hot Pepper

Aromatic and lively from the first blush of green, Padrón peppers ripen into glossy, medium-green pods that carry a gentle, warming heat with a bright, peppery snap.

The skin is smooth and taut, the flesh crisp and juicy, making them ideal for quick, high-heat roasting where their flavor turns sweetly savory and their heat stays pleasantly variable—some mild, some boldly hot. Grow Padrón for a garden-to-table tapas favorite: abundant harvests, vivid color, and a playful range of heat in every basket.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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	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

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Padrón is built for fast, hot cooking—its crisp, juicy flesh goes sweet-savory at the char edge without turning soft. The heat plays tag in the basket, so it’s a joy with salt and acid that keeps each bite clean and snappy.

Best Uses

tapas-style pan-frying with flaky salt (eat straight off the heat)
high-heat roasting or blistering until blistered and sweet-savory
quick char with olive oil and garlic for a glossy, snackable topping

Flavor Profile

bright, peppery snap gentle warming heat that can spike crisp, juicy flesh with taut skin

Kitchen Pairings

extra-virgin olive oil garlic lemon zest smoked paprika sea salt dry sherry vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Padrón peppers developing soft, gray mold or spots on stems/leaves, and what should I do?

Padrón (Capsicum annuum) commonly suffers from fungal issues like gray mold and leaf/stem spots when foliage stays wet and airflow is poor. Remove affected leaves, water at the base (not overhead), and increase spacing/airflow so leaves dry quickly; avoid heavy nitrogen boosts that create dense growth. If problems spread, switch to a labeled fungicide for peppers and follow the label’s timing (often after the first signs).

How often should I water Padrón peppers during the main growing phase to avoid fruit problems?

During active growth and fruiting, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—typically about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for heat and container size. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, but don’t let it swing to bone-dry and then flood, which can trigger blossom-end rot and stress-shaped growth. Mulch around plants helps stabilize moisture through hot weather.

How can I tell when Padrón peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest Padrón peppers at full size and when the pods have turned bright green; in warm conditions this is usually around 60–75 days after transplanting/when plants are fruiting. Check daily near maturity because peppers can go from tender to slightly tougher quickly, especially in heat. If you want the classic mix, leave some to ripen further to red while continuing to pick the green ones.