Pepper Seeds - Hot - Fresno Chili
75-80 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Fresno Chili Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high yielding, deer resistant, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, hot pepper with medium heat levels. 2,500 to 10,000 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Similar in shape, size, and heat content to the world-famous jalapeno, Fresno chili seeds grow a distinct New Mexico-style chili that changes color from green to red as the pepper fully matures. Like all New Mexico varieties, Fresno chili seeds produce unique pointed fruits and grow upright for harvest, as opposed to the jalapeno whose fruits are rounded and hanging. ~5,000 seeds/oz.
Growing Non-GMO Fresno Chili Hot Pepper Vegetable Seeds
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Fresno Chili Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
To plant these peppers, you will need to start the planting process about 6-8 weeks before your area’s last frost date. You can choose either a seed starting mix like Minute Soil Coco Clair, or you can just choose well-draining soil. Plant the seeds about 0.25 inches deep. Try to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You can check whether you need to water your plants by sticking your finger into the soil - if it feels dry, then give your plants some water, but make sure not to overwater. If the soil looks wet, then wait for it to dry out a bit before you water your plants next. Keep your peppers in a warm spot for germination, somewhere around 80-90 F. You can use a grow light to create a warmer space that will help them germinate. After about 7-10 days, they should germinate, and you can move them to a cooler spot so they can be hardened off before you plant them in the garden. Choose a nice sunny location in your garden or in pots for your plants. Plant them 12-18 inches apart, and space your rows about 2-3 feet apart. Bury the roots completely in the soil. Be sure not to plant hot peppers and sweet peppers close together, as this can lead to cross-pollination!
There are several things you can do to make sure your peppers grow well. Make sure that you water your plants consistently, especially during dry periods. Sprinkle some mulch around the base of your plants to keep the soil moist and prevent any pesky weeds. You can also try adding a fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus and calcium to provide essential nutrients to your peppers. Don't forget to give your plants a little support with stakes or trellises to keep them standing tall as they start to grow fruit. Companion planting with plants like marigolds and basil can help keep pests away and bring pollinators to your garden. Keep an eye out for pests or diseases and make sure to address them immediately if you see signs.
Harvesting Fresno Chili Peppers
These peppers are full size when they’ve grown about 2 to 3 inches long. They will be a bright red, and they should have a somewhat glossy sheen. They’ll be ripe somewhere between 75 and 80 days after transplanting, but because this is a hot variety, you can also harvest them before they’re fully ripe. When the peppers are at your preferred ripeness, you can harvest them with garden shears or a knife by cutting off the peppers, leaving a small stem on the pepper. Be sure to be gentle with the plant so you don’t damage the plant and it can keep producing fruit. Because this is a hot variety, make sure you wear gloves and wash your hands immediately after harvest. Also try to avoid leaving them on the plant for too long, because overripe peppers might be a little bit bitter. Store them in a cool and dry place.
About Fresno Chili Pepper Garden Seeds
Hot peppers originated in Mexico over 6,000 years ago, but are grown all over the world today!
Similar in shape, size, and heat content to the world-famous jalapeno, Fresno chili seeds grow a distinct New Mexico-style chili that changes color from green to red as the pepper fully matures. Like all New Mexico varieties, Fresno chili seeds produce unique pointed fruits and grow upright for harvest, as opposed to the jalapeno whose fruits are rounded and hanging.
Fresno Chili peppers are an excellent addition to home gardens for some extra spice and vibrance. Peppers are hot with smooth red skin. They are 2-3 inches long and 1.25 inches wide with green stems. Plants grow to be 24-30 inches tall with thick dark green foliage. Like many peppers, they start out green, go to orange and finally red.
Pepper plants thrive in pots and containers and can even perennially overwinter in warm enough regions, maturing into bushy, vibrant, and well-stemmed patio favorites.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"These medium spice peppers are a great choice for soups, salsas, and stir-fries. They have between 2,500 and 10,000 Scoville Heat Units."
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- Chelsea Hafer, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Fresno Chili Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 500 mg packet - Approximately 90 Seeds
- 0.25 oz - Approximately 1,250 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 5,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 20,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 80,000 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 544,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Fresno 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. |
| Fresno Chili Pepper Color: | Red |
| Variety Name Pepper Flavor: | Smoky, fruity |
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: | 75-80 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12-24 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 24-36 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 6-8 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: | 18-24 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | Yes |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 2,500 to 10,000 |
| Heat Level: | Medium - 2,500 to 30,000 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Jalapeno |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 76 to 90 days from transplant. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | 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 |
| Pepper Use: | Ceviche, salsa, cooking |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat, Drought |