Pepper Seeds - Hot - Anaheim Chili
70-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Anaheim Chili Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot-type pepper with mild heat levels. 500 to 2500 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Anaheim Chili Peppers are a milder meaty pepper that grows 6-8 inches long. Flavorful hot peppers take about 80 days to mature. Anaheim pepper plants grow to be 28-34 inches tall. Peppers will be dark green with thick walls. Much more mild compared to a jalapeno and ancho chili pepper.The thick walls of the Anaheim Chili Pepper mean that it can handle some serious cooking. These are perfect for roasting and smoking. You can stuff them and fry them for Chile Rellenos that are milder than Ancho peppers. These peppers can also be dried and preserved for seasoning throughout the year. Anaheim Chilis are resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. ~3,400 seeds/oz.
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Growing Anaheim Chili Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
About two months before the final frost, sow the seeds .25 inch deep in seed-starting trays filled with a quality seed-starting mix. Mist with water to moisten the surface. Maintain a consistent temperature of 70-80 F (21-27 C) to promote germination, which typically occurs within 7-14 days. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provide 14-16 hours of light daily using grow lights or a south-facing window.
As your seedlings grow, they will need to be "hardened off" before transplanting outdoors. This process involves gradually exposing the young plants to outdoor conditions to prevent transplant shock. About two weeks before the last frost date, start by placing the seedlings outside in a sheltered area for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their exposure to direct sunlight and outdoor temperatures. By the end of this period, they should be able to withstand a full day outside.
Once the danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 F (10 C), it's time to transplant your Anaheim chili seedlings. Choose a sunny location in your garden with well-draining soil. If planting in containers, use pots that are at least 12 inches in diameter. Space the plants about 18-24 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation and growth. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of each plant, place the plant in the hole, and backfill with soil, firming it gently around the base. Water thoroughly after transplanting.
Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. A deep watering once or twice a week is generally sufficient, but more frequent watering may be necessary during hot, dry periods. Avoid overhead watering, as wet foliage can encourage disease development. Anaheim chilies benefit from a balanced fertilizer applied at planting time. Use a 5-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer at a rate of 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet of garden space. As the plants grow, side-dress with a monthly application of a water-soluble fertilizer.
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the area around the plants free of weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water. As Anaheim chili plants can grow 2-3 feet tall and become top-heavy with fruit, providing support with stakes or cages can help prevent the plants from toppling over. Insert stakes at the time of planting to avoid damaging the roots later on.
Harvesting Anaheim Chili Peppers
Anaheim chilies are typically ready to harvest about 70-80 days after transplanting. The peppers can be picked when they are green, which is the most common stage or allowed to ripen to red for a sweeter flavor. Green peppers are usually harvested when they reach 6-10 inches long and are firm to the touch.
Use a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a small stem attached. Avoid pulling the peppers off by hand, as this can damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more fruit.
About Anaheim Chili Tomato Garden Seeds
These peppers can also be called California chili or Magdalena peppers.
The Anaheim variety was popularized by Emilio Ortega, who brought the seeds to California in the early 1900s. He recognized their potential and started cultivating them extensively, eventually leading to the creation of the famous Ortega brand of canned chilies.
Anaheim chili peppers are considered a mild variety, typically measuring between 500-2,500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This makes them significantly milder than jalapeños, which range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"When container gardening, ensure that you have at least 12 inches and about 5-10 gallons minimum of soil. The root system can be constricted in smaller containers, and the plant may be stunted."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Anaheim Chili Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 1 g - Packet- Approximately 120 Seeds
- 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 3,400 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 13,600 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 54,400 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 272,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Anaheim Chili Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Capsicum annuum |
| Pepper Type: | Hot - These peppers all have some heat and usually rank at least 100, but usually 500 or more on the Scoville scale and have heat ranging from mild to extremely hot. |
| Anaheim Chili Pepper Color: | Red, Green |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11. |
| Days to Maturity: | 70-79 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 18 to 24 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24 to 36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18 to 24 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range. |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes Start Indoors 7-9 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers. |
| Pepper Pollination: | Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production. |
| Plant Width: | 18 to 24 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | Yes |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 500 to 2500 |
| Heat Level: | Mild - 100 to 2,500 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Poblano Ancho or Pepperoncini |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 76 to 90 days from transplant. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Anaheim Chilies are resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat, Drought |