---
title: Jalapeño Peppers
created: 2026-05-24
updated: 2026-05-25
type: entity
tags: [fruiting-vegetables, heirloom, open-pollinated, hot-pepper]
sources: [raw/articles/seedvault-home-page.md]
---
# Jalapeño Peppers
## Overview
Spicy open-pollinated heirloom variety. Versatile hot peppers for fresh salsas, pickling, smoking (chipotle), and cooking.
- **Category:** Fruiting Vegetables
- **Price:** $3.12
- **Variety Type:** Open-pollinated heirloom
- **Days to Harvest:** 70-80 days from transplant
- **Germination:** 10-20 days at 70-85°F
- **Heat Level:** 5,000-8,000 Scoville
## Growing Instructions
- **Sowing:** Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, 1/4" deep.
- **Transplant:** After frost in fertile soil (pH 6.0-6.8).
- **Care:** Space 18-24 inches apart. Water consistently. Stake if needed. Full sun.
- **Harvest:** Pick green or wait for red.
## Soil & Conditions
- **pH:** 6.0-6.8, well-drained, rich compost.
## Seed Storage
- **Viability:** 3-5 years cool/dry. Store below 40°F.
- **Pre-treatment:** None. Warm soil 70-85°F for germination.
## Yield
- **Per Plant:** 1-3 lbs per plant
- **Harvest Season:** Mid-summer through fall
- **Note:** Harvest green or allow to ripen red for more heat
Cut fully mature dark green/red peppers. Remove seeds, rinse, dry 1-2 weeks. Heat level is stable in saved seed.
## Pest & Disease
Aphids, spider mites, blossom end rot, fruit cracks. Same management as sweet peppers.
## Harvest & Preservation
Pick green or red. Store refrigerated 1-2 weeks. Freeze whole, slice and dry, or make hot sauce for canning.
## Companion Planting
### Good Companions
- **[[roma-tomatoes]], [[large-leaf-basil]], [[white-bunching-onion]]** — Shared season, basil deters pests
### Part of: Mediterranean Bed
- See [[companion-planting]] for full combination details
## Related
- [[seedvault-market]]
- [[grow-guides]]
- [[seed-catalog]]