Jalapeno El Jefe Chili Seeds

Information: The Jalapeno El Jefe is a prolific, early-ripening jalapeno variety with pods up to 10 cm long. It is ideal for chili beginners, because it germinates quickly and is easy to grow and care.

Named after the town of Jalapa (Veracruz) in Mexico, this chili is one of the best-known and most-loved chillies in Mexico and the United States. Jalapeños are particularly popular thanks to the pepper`s juicy flesh, which is bursting with flavour. The fruits can grow up to 8cm in length, they have a thick-fleshed outer layer and a distinctive rounded end. They often have a cracked, cork-like surface, which Mexicans believe to be a sign of good quality. Unripe jalapeños are green, when ripe they develop a strong red colour. Whilst they are still green, jalapeños sometimes tend to display dark spots, however these disappear again as they ripen to red. Jalapeños are one of the few types of chili that also taste great in their green, unripe state. As they ripen to red, their flavour becomes pleasantly sweet. Their mild spicy heat makes jalapeños perfect for eating fresh as well as for cooking, stuffing, pickling or grilling.

Care: Germination temperature is between 22°C and 28°C (germination period: 6-20 days); it is therefore recommended to use a greenhouse and a heating mat. The plants need fresh, well-fertilised permeable soil and should not be left in standing water. They should be placed in a sunny, sheltered place with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, if not more. Place the plants outside around 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost. When you plant the seedlings outdoors, take care to leave at least 45cm of space between each plant. After roughly 60-65 days, green fruits can be harvested, red jalapeños are first ready for harvest after approximately 80-90 days. Single plants bear around 30 fruits, with good care, this can become considerably more.

You can find plenty of useful tips for successfully growing chili plants in our Chili Growing Guide and in the Chili Journal.

As of spring 2015, we also offer a wide range of pre-grown chili plants, including the popular jalapeño chili: Buy chili plants.