Jalapeño 'Fooled You'
Capsicum annuum 'Fooled You'
The perfect jalapeño for those who love the flavor but not the heat! This innovative variety delivers all the classic jalapeño taste and aroma with virtually no spiciness, making it ideal for family gardens where heat tolerance varies. Harvest green or let ripen to red for a sweeter flavor.
Harvest
70-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Jalapeño 'Fooled You' in USDA Zone 7
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Jalapeño 'Fooled You' · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
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 'Fooled You' jalapeños keep best stored in the refrigerator's crisper drawer in a perforated plastic bag, maintaining quality for 1-2 weeks. Avoid washing before storage — moisture encourages spoilage. At room temperature, they'll stay fresh for 3-5 days.
For freezing, wash and dry peppers thoroughly, then freeze whole on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. Frozen peppers work well for cooking but lose their crisp texture. They'll maintain quality for 6-8 months frozen.
Pickling is ideal for this variety since the mild heat won't overpower the brine. Use a standard pickle recipe with equal parts water and vinegar. The low heat level also makes these perfect for stuffing with cream cheese and freezing for later use.
Dehydrating works well too — slice peppers lengthwise and dry at 135°F until brittle, about 8-12 hours. Store dried peppers in airtight containers for up to one year.
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 enhancing pepper flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Tomato
Similar growing requirements and both benefit from shared pest management
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on pepper pests
Carrots
Deep roots break up soil without competing for surface nutrients
Chives
Natural pest deterrent against aphids and may improve pepper growth
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing them away from peppers
Keep Apart
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of peppers and most vegetables
Kohlrabi
Competes for similar nutrients and can stunt pepper plant development
Brassicas
Heavy feeders that compete for nitrogen and can inhibit pepper root development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168576)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to tobacco mosaic virus and bacterial leaf spot
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevils, cutworms
Diseases
Bacterial leaf spot, pepper mottle virus, blossom end rot