Jalapeño 'Gigante'
Capsicum annuum 'Gigante'
A supersized version of the beloved jalapeño that produces extra-large peppers up to 4 inches long while maintaining the classic jalapeño heat level and flavor profile. These jumbo jalapeños are perfect for stuffing, making large batches of salsa, or when you simply want more bang for your buck from each pepper. The vigorous plants are incredibly productive and deliver the authentic jalapeño taste in an impressively large package.
Harvest
75-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Jalapeño 'Gigante' in USDA Zone 7
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Jalapeño 'Gigante' · 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 Jalapeño 'Gigante' peppers store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer for 1-2 weeks when kept in a perforated plastic bag. Their thick walls help them maintain quality longer than thinner-walled varieties. For counter storage, keep peppers in a cool, dry location for 3-5 days maximum.
For long-term preservation, these large peppers excel at stuffing and freezing whole. Remove stems and seeds, blanch for 3 minutes, then freeze in single layers before transferring to freezer bags. The substantial size makes them perfect for batch processing into salsa or hot sauce. Pickle sliced 'Gigante' peppers in vinegar brine for 6-month storage, or dehydrate thick slices in a food dehydrator at 125°F for 12-18 hours to make jalapeño powder. Their generous size means one pepper yields significantly more preserved product than standard jalapeños.
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
Tomato
Similar growing requirements and can share support structures
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Carrots
Helps break up soil and doesn't compete for nutrients due to different root depths
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Chives
Repels aphids and may improve pepper growth and flavor
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits nightshade family plant growth
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt pepper growth
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may 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 bacterial leaf spot and tobacco mosaic virus
Common Pests
Aphids, pepper weevil, cutworms, spider mites
Diseases
Bacterial leaf spot, pepper mild mottle virus, anthracnose