Hot Pepper Seeds,
Jalapeño Brown

Start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before your region's last expected frost date. Transplant outdoors once the soil has warmed and temperatures don't drop below 65 F. In USDA Zones 9b-11, these peppers can be overwintered as short-lived perennials; everywhere colder they are grown as annuals or brought indoors before frost. If you're not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Sow Brown Jalapeño seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix and maintain a consistent soil temperature of 80-85 F for best germination, which generally takes 10-14 days. After seedlings develop two sets of true leaves, harden them off and transplant them outdoors, spacing plants 14-18 inches apart in beds or large containers with compost-enriched soil.

Brown Jalapeño peppers require full sunlight—preferably 8-12 hours daily. Keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Mulching around the plants can help regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. These peppers benefit from balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to support flowering and fruit production. Pruning excess foliage may improve air circulation and encourage larger fruit.

• Peppers are mainly self-pollinating, but bees occasionally work pepper flowers as well.
• To be absolutely sure that you will not have any crossing, different varieties should be isolated by at least 500 feet.
• To save seed, allow the fruit to mature fully; then simply remove seeds.
• It is a good idea to wear gloves when working with very hot peppers, and to consider wearing a mask when working with a large quantity of dried seeds.
• Let seeds dry for a week before storing them in a jar.
• Pepper seeds will remain viable for up to 5 years.