VegetablePepper
Jalapeno Orange Pepper
The Jalapeno Orange is a vibrant twist on one of the world's most beloved hot peppers. This open-pollinated heirloom cultivar produces peppers that ripen from green to a striking orange, offering a sweeter profile than their fully mature red counterparts while retaining the iconic jalapeno heat. Growing 18 to 24 inches tall in an upright habit, these plants mature in 100 to 109 days and thrive in zones 4 through 13, making them accessible to gardeners across most of North America. The heat level runs medium at 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units, landing it in that perfect zone where flavor remains the star alongside a pleasant kick.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
12
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-13
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Harvest these peppers at the bright orange stage for a sweeter, more fruity flavor compared to the green jalapeno standard. The orange variant represents a genuine departure from the extremely popular green version, rewarding gardeners who branch out with visual excitement and a distinctly different taste experience. Plants grow compact and upright, reaching just 18 to 24 inches, which means they fit comfortably in garden plots, raised beds, and even greenhouses. The medium heat level and extended harvest window make them accessible to heat-seekers and flavor-first cooks alike.
Common Uses
The Jalapeno Orange excels in applications where a milder, fruity heat complements rather than dominates. Eat them fresh at the orange stage for a sweeter snack, roasted whole for a silky interior and charred exterior, or sliced into salsas where their flavor shines without overwhelming other ingredients. They're excellent pickled, preserving their crisp texture and natural sweetness, and work beautifully in hot sauces where the fruity character adds complexity to the heat. Their compact plant size and reliable production make them equally suited to kitchen gardens, market farming, and container growing.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Maintain soil temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; pepper seeds germinate best in warm, humid conditions. Provide bright light once seedlings emerge to prevent legginess.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after nighttime temperatures consistently remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and all frost danger has passed. Harden off plants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart in full sun. Water deeply after transplanting to settle soil around the roots.
Harvesting
Peppers are ready to harvest at the orange stage for their sweetest flavor, typically occurring 100 to 109 days after transplanting. At this point, the pepper develops its distinctive orange color and offers noticeably sweeter notes compared to the initial green stage. You can also leave peppers on the plant to mature further toward red if you prefer deeper, more complex heat. Harvest by gently twisting and pulling the pepper from the stem, or use clean pruners to avoid damaging the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued production throughout the growing season.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Capsicum annuum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (NI)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)
History & Origin
“The Jalapeno Orange represents a natural color variant of Capsicum annuum, one of humanity's oldest domesticated pepper species. While jalapenos themselves have been cultivated in Mexico for centuries, this orange-fruiting cultivar emerged as seed savers and breeders recognized and selected for the sweeter, less intense peppers that turn orange before deepening to red. True Leaf Market identifies this as an open-pollinated, heirloom variety, meaning gardeners can save seeds year after year and expect consistent offspring. The orange jalapeno carries forward the same heat genetics as its green cousin while offering a milder, more nuanced flavor profile that appeals to those seeking complexity alongside spice.”