Santa Fe Grande

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

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

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
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

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.