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Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande'

Capsicum annuum 'Craig's Grande'

An exceptionally large jalapeño variety that produces peppers nearly twice the size of standard jalapeños while maintaining authentic heat and flavor. These jumbo peppers are perfect for stuffing, and their thick walls make them ideal for jalapeño poppers and grilling applications. A must-grow for jalapeño lovers who want impressive size.

Harvest

75-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Blossom-End Rot of Tomato

☀️

Zones

4–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Jalapeño 'Craig's Grande' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, slightly sandy soil with good drainage

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, avoid overhead watering

SeasonWarm season

FlavorClassic jalapeño heat (2,500-8,000 Scoville) with bright, grassy flavor

ColorDark green maturing to red

Size4-5 inches long, 1.5 inches wide

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – April	June – July	—	September – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	—	August – October
Zone 5	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 6	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 8	February – February	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 9	January – January	March – April	—	June – August
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	—	May – July

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Water: KAP-sih-kum AN-yoo-um. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Fruits are a non-pulpy berry and vary considerably across cultivars. Some are long, thin, bright red, and spicy; others are thick, large, and sweet-tasting; others still are small and in ornamental shapes and colors, grown as decoration.

Color: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Type: Berry. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Showy

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Craig's Grande jalapeños store excellently due to their thick walls. Keep unwashed peppers in the refrigerator's crisper drawer for 2-3 weeks, or leave on the counter for 4-5 days if using quickly. Their large size makes them perfect for stuffing and freezing – simply remove seeds, blanch for 2 minutes, cool, stuff with your filling, and freeze for up to 8 months.

For long-term storage, these peppers excel at pickling due to their substantial flesh and lower water content compared to thinner-walled varieties. Slice into rings and quick-pickle in vinegar brine, or ferment whole for complex flavor development. The thick walls also make them ideal for smoking and drying – cut lengthwise, remove seeds, and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours until leathery. Their size allows for easy processing into jalapeño powder or flakes for year-round seasoning.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical North and South America

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Heat
+Attracts: Songbirds
+Wildlife value: Birds are immune to the capsaicin in peppers and can safely eat the fruits with no ill effects. Therefore, these plants may attract birds. Host plant for Potato Tuber Moth.
+Edible: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor

Marigold

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds

Tomato

Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently

Oregano

Repels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Carrots

Loosens soil around pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients

Onions

Repels aphids, spider mites, and other pests with sulfur compounds

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that stunts pepper growth and can kill plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of peppers through allelopathic compounds

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper development

Apricot Trees

Can harbor verticillium wilt that spreads to pepper plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

29kcal(1%)

Protein

0.91g(2%)

Fiber

2.8g(10%)

Carbs

6.5g(2%)

Fat

0.37g(0%)

Vitamin C

119mg(132%)

Vitamin A

54mcg(6%)

Vitamin K

18.5mcg(15%)

Iron

0.25mg(1%)

Calcium

12mg(1%)

Potassium

248mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168576)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to bacterial spot and tobacco mosaic virus

Common Pests

Aphids, pepper weevil, thrips, spider mites

Diseases

Bacterial spot, anthracnose, phytophthora blight

Frequently Asked Questions

How big do Craig's Grande jalapeños actually get?▼

Craig's Grande jalapeños typically reach 4-5 inches in length and about 1.5 inches wide – nearly twice the size of standard jalapeños. Individual peppers can weigh 2-3 times more than regular varieties, making them perfect for stuffing applications. Their thick walls also contribute to their substantial feel and excellent cooking properties.

Can you grow Craig's Grande jalapeños in containers?▼

Yes, Craig's Grande grows well in containers but needs at least a 5-gallon pot due to the larger plant size and heavy fruit production. Use a sturdy container with drainage holes and provide staking support since the oversized peppers can make plants top-heavy. Choose a high-quality potting mix and fertilize regularly since container plants deplete nutrients faster.

Is Craig's Grande good for beginners?▼

Craig's Grande is considered easy to grow and suitable for beginners, with the same basic care requirements as standard jalapeños. The main considerations are providing adequate support for the heavy fruits and ensuring a long enough growing season. New gardeners should start seeds indoors early and be patient – the impressive size is worth the slightly longer wait.

What's the difference between Craig's Grande and regular jalapeños?▼

The primary difference is size – Craig's Grande peppers are nearly twice as large as standard jalapeños while maintaining the same heat level and flavor profile. They also have thicker walls making them ideal for stuffing, and plants require staking due to the heavier fruit load. The trade-off is fewer total peppers per plant and a slightly longer growing season.

When should I plant Craig's Grande jalapeño seeds?▼

Start Craig's Grande seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date, typically in late February to early March in most climates. This early start is crucial because these large peppers need 75-85 days to mature and benefit from the longest possible growing season. Transplant outdoors 2-3 weeks after your last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F.

Do Craig's Grande jalapeños taste different from regular jalapeños?▼

Craig's Grande maintains the classic jalapeño flavor profile – bright, grassy, and fresh with the same 2,500-8,000 Scoville heat range. The taste is virtually identical to standard jalapeños, just in a much larger package. The thicker walls provide a slightly more substantial bite and better texture for cooking applications like stuffing and grilling.