Crops › Medium Chilli
How to grow Medium Chilli
in the US
Sow February to March, plant out April to May, harvest June to September. About 72 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Right, then. If you fancy a bit of a kick in your cooking, medium chillies are just the job. They're not too fiery, not too mild, just proper tasty. You can grow 'em in pots or out in a warm bed, and they'll give you a cracking harvest for months.
Sowing
To get your medium chillies going, you'll want to sow them indoors, oh, about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. For folks in Zone 5, that's March or April, but in Zone 8 or 9, you can start as early as January. Pop the seeds about a quarter-inch deep in good seed compost, keep 'em warm – a heat mat helps a treat, aiming for 70-80°F (21-27°C) – and they'll germinate in a week or two. Don't sow 'em too thick, give 'em a bit of space, you know what I mean.
Growing on
Once your seedlings have their first proper leaves, that's two sets of true leaves, prick 'em out gently into individual pots. Keep 'em warm and in a bright spot, turning them now and then so they don't get leggy. Before planting out, harden them off for a week or two, gradually getting 'em used to the outdoor air. When all danger of frost is well past, transplant them into warm, well-drained beds or decent-sized containers, about 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Mine do well in a greenhouse, but a sunny, sheltered spot outdoors works a treat.
Looking after it
Chillies like a steady drink, so keep the soil consistently moist, especially when they're fruiting, but don't let them get waterlogged. Give 'em a light feed every couple of weeks once flowers appear, a general-purpose liquid feed is grand. Mulch around the base with some compost or straw to keep the soil warm and stop those pesky weeds. It helps with blossom drop too, which can be a nuisance sometimes.
What goes wrong
To be honest, medium chillies are usually pretty sturdy, but you do get the odd bother. Aphids and whiteflies can turn up, especially if it's a bit warm and still in the greenhouse. A good squirt of soapy water usually sorts 'em. Cutworms can be a pain when plants are small, so watch for those. Just keep an eye on your plants, you'll spot any trouble early.
Harvest
You'll be harvesting your first chillies about 72 days after sowing, usually from June right through to September. For varieties like jalapeños and serranos, pick 'em green if you fancy a milder heat, or let 'em ripen fully red for more punch and sweetness. Snip 'em off with scissors or a sharp knife, try not to yank the plant about. For storing, pop 'em in the fridge, they'll keep a good while chilled.
I always find that keeping my chilli plants a little bit on the dry side just before they flower, then giving them a proper drink, seems to encourage a cracking set of fruit. It's like a bit of a shock to get 'em going.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Jalapeño Classic, versatile medium-hot pods; great fresh, pickled, or smoked as chipotles. If you only grow one, this is the one to pick. | No club votes yet |
| Jalapeño – Lemon Spice Yellow-ripening jalapeño with bright citrus notes and moderate heat. A lovely novelty if you want something a bit different for salsas. | No club votes yet |
| Jalapeño – Purple Purple-skinned jalapeño maturing to red; ornamental and tasty. Grows well and looks cracking in a pot on the patio. | No club votes yet |
| Fresno Cone-shaped, slightly fruitier than jalapeño; excellent for salsas. A good solid choice for fresh eating and a bit of a change from the usual. | No club votes yet |
| Serrano Slender green pods with crisp heat; widely used in fresh salsas. If you like a bit more of a proper kick in your salsa, this is the one for you. | No club votes yet |
| Cayenne Long, thin pods that dry easily; staple for flakes and powders. Grow plenty of these if you want to make your own chilli powder for winter. | No club votes yet |
| Hungarian Wax Tapered yellow pods with medium heat; great pickled. A very reliable producer, proper chuffed with the yields from these for pickling. | No club votes yet |
| Hot Banana Banana-type with noticeable kick; prolific and good for rings. Cracking for pickling or chopping into salads for a bit of warmth. | No club votes yet |
| Cherry Bomb Round, red, medium-hot cherries perfect for stuffing and pickling. These little beauties are great stuffed with cheese and then baked. | No club votes yet |
| Brazilian Starfish Distinct star-shaped pods with fruity flavor and medium heat. A real talking point on the plot, and they taste lovely too. | No club votes yet |
| Aji Cristal Chilean baccatum with citrusy, medium heat; great fresh or pickled. If you're after something a bit different with a lovely zesty flavor, give these a go. | No club votes yet |
| Aji Fantasy Sweet-tart baccatum with moderate heat and lantern-like pods. A really interesting flavour profile and they look smashing on the plant. | No club votes yet |
| Santa Fe Grande Thick-walled, medium-hot, ripens from yellow to red; productive. You'll get loads from these plants, proper chuffed with the yields. | No club votes yet |
| Bulgarian Carrot Bright orange pods with crisp heat and carrot-like shape. They look exactly like little carrots, so they're a bit of a laugh and taste good too. | No club votes yet |
| Mississippi Sport Sport selection with medium heat; dependable yields in warm climates. If you're somewhere warm, these are a reliable choice for a steady crop. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Medium Chilli seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | January to April | June to September |
| Zone 4 | January to April | June to September |
| Zone 5 | March to April | July to September |
| Zone 6 | February to March | June to September |
| Zone 7 | February to March | June to September |
| Zone 8 | January to February | May to August |
| Zone 9 | January to February | May to August |
| Zone 10 | January to April | June to September |
Cook the harvest
A homemade hot sauce in the Louisiana style — smooth, tangy, and bright with medium chilli flavor and a proper but not overwhelming heat. The fermentation is optional (just adds complexity), and the straightforward version is ready the same day. Once you make your own hot sauce, store-bought feels like a consolation prize.
35 min · easyShrimp marinated in a fresh medium chilli and lime paste, grilled or pan-seared until pink and slightly charred, then loaded into warm tortillas with avocado and a bright cabbage slaw. Quick, vibrant, and full of proper chilli flavor without being punishingly hot. A weeknight taco that feels like a coastal vacation.
28 min · easyA bold, meaty Texas chili built around dried and fresh medium chillies — no beans, no tomatoes, just beef, chili, and attitude. The chili flavor is everything here: deep, earthy, and complex with a proper building heat. A slow simmer of 2 hours makes this a weekend project, but the result is extraordinary.
150 min · mediumThis rich, complex Mexican mole sauce is built on a foundation of dried pasilla negro chillies toasted and soaked until pliable, then blended with charred tomatoes, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, spices, and a square of dark chocolate into a deeply layered, velvety sauce. Making a proper mole is an exercise in patience and technique, but the result is something extraordinary — a sauce with dozens of flavor notes that will be the centerpiece of any table. Serve over chicken, enchiladas, or roasted vegetables.
105 min · hardWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: Basil, Marigolds, Carrots, Onions
Questions people ask
When do you sow Medium Chilli in the US?
Sow Medium Chilli from February to March in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out April to May, after the last frost.
How long does Medium Chilli take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 72 days, with the harvest June to September.
Which Medium Chilli varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Jalapeño, Jalapeño – Lemon Spice, Jalapeño – Purple, Fresno and more.
Track your Medium Chilli from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.