Basics
Capsicum annuum | Hot peppers are a staple of the summer garden with colorful produce enjoyable in spicy dishes.
Grow
How to plant?
Peppers should be purchased as seedlings, planted in Feb or March after the last frost. Plant in a sunny, well-drained area. They grow best at 70–75° F. They grow to 2–6 feet tall, so space at about 18 inches. Tomato cages help support the plants.
How to harvest?
As peppers change from green to yellow, orange, or red, both their vitamin content and flavor improve dramatically. For many hot peppers, the red ones are the spiciest. Jalapeños are mature when they reach good size and develop a deep, dark green sheen.
Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut peppers from the plants, leaving a short stub of stem attached. Pulling peppers by hand can cause entire branches to break off. Rinse harvested peppers with water, pat them dry, and then store them in your refrigerator.
Houston Varieties
- Hidalgo Serrano
- Hungarian Wax
- Jalapeño
- Long Red Cayenne
- TAM Mild Jalapeño
Get gardening advice, planting guides and more
Nutrition & Recipes
Peppers are high in vitamins A and C.
Healthy habits start with great recipes
History
Coming soon.