Check out our tips for growing jalapenos if you want to grow the best peppers.
Jalapeno plants and any hot pepper plants are what my husband looks forward to growing most each year.
He loves making hot sauces, using the hot peppers in his cooking, pickling them, and more.
Jalapenos are one plant we make sure to grow every year in our garden. These versatile peppers can vary from more mild to hot and some of the things you do in your garden can influence the heat.
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Tips for Growing the Best Jalapenos
Here are some tips and tricks to help you grow the best jalapenos in your vegetable garden.
Start with Heated Mats
Jalapeño seeds need warm soil to sprout, and a heating mat is the best way to keep the temperature just right.
As we have experienced, without enough warmth, they can take forever to germinate or may not sprout at all.
If you use heat mats under your seedling trays to help keep the temperature of the soil above 70F, it helps to speed up the germination process.
Boost Humidity
Jalapeño seeds need both warmth and moisture to sprout, and boosting humidity makes a big difference.
If possible, use a humidity dome or cover your seed trays with plastic wrap to trap moisture and create the perfect sprouting environment.
If the air is too dry, the soil dries out quickly, and the seeds struggle to germinate. Keeping the humidity high helps the seeds stay moist and speeds up sprouting.
If you’ve ever had trouble getting jalapeños to grow, adding a humidity cover is an easy fix.
Strengthen Seedlings
Once your jalapeño seedlings sprout, they need to build strong stems to handle outdoor conditions.
A small fan on low, gently moving the air around them, helps mimic outdoor breezes and encourages sturdier growth.
I’ve noticed that seedlings grown without air movement tend to be weak and floppy, making them struggle when transplanted.
Just a few hours of airflow each day makes a big difference in helping them grow thick, strong stems.
It’s a simple step, but it helps your plants handle wind and weather once they’re outside.
Soil Drainage
Jalapeños need well-draining soil to stay healthy and grow strong.
If their roots sit in too much water, they can rot, and the plant will struggle or die.
Make sure to use loose, well-aerated soil and mix in compost or sand if the dirt is too heavy.
If you’re growing in pots, make sure they have drainage holes so extra water can escape.
Increase the Spice
If you want your jalapeños to be spicier, cutting back on water once the fruits start forming can help.
Too much water dilutes the natural oils that give jalapeños their heat, making them milder.
I’ve found that when I let the soil dry out a bit between waterings, my peppers turn out much hotter.
Be careful not to let the plants wilt too much, but avoid overwatering during this stage.
Plant in Full Sun
Jalapeños thrive in full sun, so make sure they get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Without enough sun, they’ll grow slowly, produce fewer peppers, and the plants may stay small and weak.
Always plant your jalapenos in the sunniest spot in your garden to make sure they get plenty of light.
If you’re growing in pots, place them somewhere that gets full sun for most of the day.
Plant Spacing
Make sure to plant your jalapenos about 14-16 inches apart so each plant has enough sunlight and airflow.
Crowded plants can block each other’s light and create humid conditions that lead to disease.
Giving them proper spacing from the start can help prevent problems later in the season.
Pollination
Pollination is super important to get jalapenos.
Bees and other pollinators do most of the work, so I like to plant flowers nearby to attract pollinators.
If there aren’t many pollinators around, you can give your plants a gentle shake or use a small brush to move the pollen between flowers.
Prune
A little pruning can help your jalapeño plants grow bigger, stronger, and produce better peppers.
I like to trim off the lowest leaves and any small, weak branches so the plant can focus its energy on growing peppers instead of extra leaves.
This also improves airflow, which is great at preventing disease.
Fertilizer
Like all plants, you want to make sure your jalapeños get the right balance of nutrients to grow well, but too much fertilizer can do more harm than good.
Over-fertilizing, especially with too much nitrogen, can lead to big, leafy plants with fewer peppers.
Make sure to choose a balanced fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus and potassium to support flower and fruit production.
Feeding them every few weeks during the growing season will keep them healthy without overdoing it.
The key is to fertilize just enough to keep them strong and productive without encouraging too much leafy growth.
Harvest from Ripened Peppers
If you want to save seeds for next season, always collect them from fully ripened peppers.
Jalapeños change color as they mature, often turning red when fully ripe.
I’ve found that seeds from underripe peppers don’t germinate as well and can lead to weaker plants.
Let the peppers stay on the plant until they reach their final color before harvesting seeds.
Green = Spicy, Red = Sweeter
Three things we have found regarding spicier jalapenos.
- The smaller the fruit the hotter the pepper
- You see how the red has a woodier texture? That is what I look for to find the spicier jalapenos. Normally, it’s the green jalapenos I’m looking for the wood grain texture on.
- If it’s green it should be spicier and if it’s red it should end up a bit sweeter.
If you want them extra spicy, pick them while they’re green before they fully ripen.
Companion Planting
Plant jalapenos near companions such as basil, parsley, carrots, or onions. These companions can help deter pests and enhance growth.
Planting jalapeños next to the right companions can help them grow better and stay healthier.
Avoid planting jalapeños near beans or brassicas like cabbage, as they can compete for nutrients.
I hope you have great luck growing your jalapenos this year! If you have any more tips, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
