Jalapeño 'Mucho Nacho'
Capsicum annuum 'Mucho Nacho'
An AAS-winning jalapeño that produces extra-large 4-inch peppers perfect for stuffing and making poppers. This variety delivers classic jalapeño heat and flavor while offering significantly larger fruits than standard varieties. The vigorous plants are incredibly productive and provide a steady harvest throughout the growing season.
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 'Mucho Nacho' in USDA Zone 7
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Jalapeño 'Mucho Nacho' · 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 'Mucho Nacho' peppers store best in the refrigerator's vegetable crisper drawer, where they'll maintain quality for 1-2 weeks. Don't wash before storing — moisture accelerates decay. For longer storage, these large peppers excel at several preservation methods.
Freezing works exceptionally well: remove stems and seeds, slice into rings or leave whole for stuffing, then freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. They'll maintain good texture for 6-8 months. For stuffed pepper poppers, blanch whole peppers for 2 minutes before freezing.
Pickling showcases their size advantage — slice into thick rings that maintain crunch. Use a standard vinegar-based brine with 5% acidity. These peppers also smoke beautifully when dried — their large size makes them ideal for creating homemade chipotle peppers. Fermentation is another excellent option, producing complex flavors perfect for hot sauces.
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
Tomatoes
Share similar growing conditions and can help deter pests when planted together
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent
Oregano
Deters pests like aphids and spider mites while attracting beneficial insects
Carrots
Help break up soil and don't compete for space or nutrients with peppers
Onions
Repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests with their sulfur compounds
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control pepper pests
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting peppers
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Produce juglone, a chemical toxic to peppers and other nightshade plants
Fennel
Inhibits growth of peppers and most vegetables through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Cabbage, broccoli, and related plants can stunt pepper growth and compete for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168576)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good disease tolerance
Common Pests
Aphids, thrips, pepper maggot, hornworms
Diseases
Bacterial leaf spot, pepper mottle virus, phytophthora blight