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Santa Fe Grande

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper
Zone 1b Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Santa Fe Grande to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.

Sun-warmed and vividly glossy, Santa Fe Grande Wax Pepper brings a bright, lively heat with a clean, peppery snap and a subtly sweet undertone.

At maturity, the slender pods hang in an elegant arc—crisp-walled and pleasantly firm—ideal for roasting for smoky depth, or for fresh use where their waxy sheen and lively bite shine. Grow Santa Fe Grande for bold, garden-to-table flavor in sauces, salsas, and pickling, when you want heat that stays crisp and expressive.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Santa Fe Grande

Select your planting zone

To calculate dates and add this crop to your garden, provide your location or zone below.

Crop Dates : 1b

Growing note: Zone 1b has only 61 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 75-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.
MilestoneDate
Last FrostJun 1st
Growing ApproachProtected Environment Only

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity75
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitBush
Support NeededStake
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)80
Min Soil Temp (°F)60
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Santa Fe Grande’s wax-thin walls and crisp snap make it ideal for heat that doesn’t turn mushy—roast or pickle it and the flavor stays sharp, peppery, and bright. The sweet undertone plays well with citrus and vinegar, so it cuts through rich proteins without disappearing into them.

Best Uses

  • roasting or blistering and then chopping for smoky-leaning salsa
  • quick-pickling to keep the pods crisp and the heat lively
  • sliced fresh in tacos, tostadas, and ceviche-style seafood plates
  • blending into a chunky sauce or sofrito-like paste where you want defined bite

Flavor Profile

bright, peppery snap clean medium-hot heat that reads fresh, not smoky slender crisp walls with a subtly sweet undertone

Kitchen Pairings

lime cilantro garlic smoked paprika white vinegar chicken or shrimp

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Capsicum annuum (Santa Fe Grande), and how do I manage it?
A frequent issue is blossom-end rot from calcium uptake problems, often triggered by uneven watering. Keep soil moisture steady and water deeply when the top 1 inch starts to dry rather than letting the soil swing from dry to soggy. If you see dark, sunken spots on fruits, remove affected fruits and mulch to stabilize moisture; avoid heavy nitrogen that can worsen the imbalance.
How often should I water Santa Fe Grande during the main growing phase (after it’s established)?
During active growth and fruit set, water when the top 1 inch of soil is dry, typically every 2–4 days depending on heat and container vs. ground conditions. Aim for deep, even moisture so roots stay consistently hydrated—wetting too lightly leads to dry pockets that can trigger blossom-end rot. In hot weather, check daily in containers and use mulch to reduce rapid drying.
How can I tell when Santa Fe Grande peppers are ready to harvest?
Harvest when fruits reach full size and the skin has turned to the expected mature color (often red), which for this type is typically around 75 days from transplant. A ready pepper feels firm and glossy, and it snaps or cuts cleanly from the plant when pulled gently. Don’t harvest too early—under-ripe fruits often stay smaller and less flavorful.

Garden Alerts

Zone 1b has only 61 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 75-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.

Garden Alerts

Zone 1b has only 61 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 75-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.

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 best yields and less blossom drop, transplant only when night temps are reliably above 50°F and the soil has warmed to at least 60°F, then keep soil evenly moist while fruits size up.