Spicy Slice

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Meet Spicy Slice Jalapeño—an aromatic, medium-hot pepper with a bright, grassy snap and a clean, peppery bite that lingers pleasantly.

At maturity, the fruit hangs in an upright, slicer-friendly shape with smooth, glossy skin and a crisp, thick-walled feel that shines in fresh salsas, roasting, and quick pickling. Grow Spicy Slice for bold flavor you can count on at about 75 days, when the peppers turn from deep green to a vivid, confident red.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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	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

Spicy Slice Jalapeño earns its keep with thick walls and a grassy, crisp bite—so it doesn’t turn to mush in salsa or on a hot pan. Slice it for fresh heat and crunch, or pickle/char it so the skin blisters and the peppery bite stays clean rather than hollow.

Best Uses

thick-ring slicing for fresh salsa where it stays snappy
quick pickling for crunchy pepper coins and tangy heat
roasting on high heat for charred edges without collapsing
searing into fajita-style strips for a crisp bite

Flavor Profile

bright grassy snap clean, peppery heat with a pepper-lingering finish thick-walled crunch that stays crisp in slices slight sweetness when fully red

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic cilantro white onion smoked paprika cotija cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on jalapeño peppers (Capsicum annuum), and how can I manage it?

Watch for aphids and thrips, which can cause curling leaves and stippling—check the underside of foliage weekly. Spray insecticidal soap or horticultural oil and remove heavily infested shoots early; keep plants well-spaced in full sun to reduce humidity around leaves. If you see sudden wilting with dark stem areas, suspect bacterial wilt—remove and destroy affected plants to protect the rest of your Capsicum annuum crop.

How often should I water jalapeños during the main growing phase (roughly weeks 3–10)?

Water deeply whenever the top 1 inch of soil dries out, typically about 2–3 times per week in warm weather. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; peppers in Solanaceae are prone to root stress when constantly wet. Mulch around plants helps stabilize moisture for steady fruit set through the 75-day growing period.

How do I know when my jalapeños (Capsicum annuum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest jalapeños at about 75 days when fruits reach their typical size and feel firm, with a glossy skin. They start green and can be left on the plant longer for red jalapeños, but green harvest timing is best for the classic “spicy slice” flavor. Use pruning shears and cut the fruit with a short stem to avoid damaging the plant.