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Growing Chiltepin Hot Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

Growing Chiltepin peppers starts with sowing seeds indoors about eight weeks before your region's last frost. Use a light, well-draining seed-starting mix and plant seeds around 0.25 inch deep. These wild chilies need warmth to sprout; aim for temperatures around 80 F. Germination can take between 10 and 20 days, so patience is key. Once the seedlings have developed about six true leaves and your nights consistently stay above 70 F, set them outside for a few hours a day and increase the exposure over a week.

After hardening off, transplant your chiltepins into well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.2 to 7.0). Space the plants about 3 feet apart to promote airflow and healthy growth. Chiltepin peppers also grow beautifully in containers; choose pots that hold at least 5 gallons of soil and have good drainage. Make sure your container garden sits in full sun, as these peppers thrive in heat and light. Whether you plant them in raised beds, garden plots, or pots, location and soil drainage are critical for success.

Once your plants are in the ground or container, consistent care is key. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. To keep them fed, amend the soil with compost before planting, and then apply a balanced fertilizer (equal NPK ratio) every 4 to 6 weeks. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can cause leafy growth with fewer fruits. Mulching around the base of the plant helps with moisture retention and weed control, while regular pruning of dead or yellowing leaves encourages airflow and fruiting.

Harvesting Chiltepin Hot Peppers

Chiltepin peppers are ready to harvest around 100 days after transplanting, typically when the tiny fruits ripen to a vibrant red. Since they’re very hot, gloves are a smart move during harvest. You can gently pluck them by hand or snip them off with scissors.

About Chiltepin Hot Pepper Garden Seeds

Also known as Indian pepper, grove pepper, tepin, chiltepe, chile tepin, turkey pepper, bird’s eye, or bird peppers, the Chiltepin pepper has been cultivated for centuries and is a true heirloom.

Chiltepin is adapted to dry conditions as a wild pepper species. While they do benefit from regular watering when cultivated, they can survive periods of drought once established. Just be mindful that prolonged lack of water can reduce fruit production, so a balance is key: keep the soil moderately moist but never soggy.

Their bold heat makes them ideal for spicy salsas, sauces, and drying for chili flakes. But their size, unique flavor, and historical significance (being one of the few wild pepper varieties still in use today) make them a prized pepper for gardeners looking for something both traditional and fiery.

Chiltepin peppers are one of the wild ancestors of many domesticated chili varieties. They have been used for over 10,000 years as a food source and for medicinal purposes. In regions like Sonora, Mexico, chiltepins are still harvested from the wild and hold cultural significance among indigenous communities.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"I find it fascinating that all peppers around the world are descended from a few species that are native to the Americas. Even the peppers that are central to many Asian cuisines!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer