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Jalapeño 'TAM Mild Jalapeño'

Capsicum annuum 'TAM Mild Jalapeño'

A Texas-developed variety that delivers all the classic jalapeño flavor and appearance with significantly reduced heat levels. Perfect for gardeners who want the authentic taste for salsas and Mexican dishes without the intense burn. These productive plants yield abundant 3-inch peppers that are ideal for pickling, stuffing, or using fresh.

Harvest

70-75d

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 'TAM Mild Jalapeño' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Jalapeño 'TAM Mild Jalapeño' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained sandy loam with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, allow slight drying between waterings

SeasonWarm season

FlavorClassic jalapeño flavor with mild heat (1,000-3,500 Scoville)

ColorDark green ripening to red

Size3-4 inches long, 1 inch wide

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – April	June – July	—	August – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	—	August – October
Zone 5	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 6	March – March	May – June	—	July – September
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 8	February – February	April – May	—	June – August
Zone 9	January – January	March – April	—	May – July
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 TAM Mild Jalapeños store best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where they'll maintain quality for 1-2 weeks. Don't wash peppers until ready to use, as excess moisture promotes decay. At room temperature, they'll stay fresh for only 3-5 days but will gradually develop more heat as they continue ripening.

For long-term storage, freeze whole peppers on baking sheets, then transfer to freezer bags – they'll keep for 8-10 months and work perfectly for cooking applications. The mild heat level makes TAM Mild Jalapeños ideal for pickling; their thick walls hold up well to the vinegar brine. Slice and dehydrate peppers at 125°F for 8-12 hours to create pepper flakes with concentrated flavor. You can also ferment them whole or chopped to develop complex flavors for hot sauces and salsas.

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

Tomatoes

Share similar growing conditions and can provide partial shade for peppers in hot climates

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects

Oregano

Repels aphids and provides ground cover while enhancing pepper growth

Carrots

Help break up soil and don't compete for nutrients, allowing better root development

Onions

Repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests through their strong sulfur compounds

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting beneficial predators

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control pepper pests

Keep Apart

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth and development of peppers

Brassicas

Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition

Walnut Trees

Produce juglone, a toxic compound that causes wilting and death in 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 tolerance to bacterial spot and virus diseases

Common Pests

Aphids, pepper maggot, cutworms, flea beetles

Diseases

Bacterial spot, pepper mild mottle virus, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How hot is TAM Mild Jalapeño compared to regular jalapeños?▼

TAM Mild Jalapeño peppers measure 1,000-3,500 Scoville Heat Units, which is significantly milder than standard jalapeños that typically range from 2,500-8,000 SHU. You'll get all the classic jalapeño flavor – that distinctive grassy, bright taste – but with about one-third the heat level, making them perfect for those who want authentic jalapeño taste without the intense burn.

Can you grow TAM Mild Jalapeño in containers?▼

Yes, TAM Mild Jalapeño grows excellently in containers. Use at least a 5-gallon pot with drainage holes and high-quality potting mix. Container plants may need daily watering during hot weather and benefit from a tomato cage for support. The compact 24-30 inch height makes them ideal for patio growing, and container culture often leads to earlier harvests.

When should I plant TAM Mild Jalapeño seeds?▼

Start TAM Mild Jalapeño seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date. For most regions, this means starting seeds in February or March for transplanting in May. Don't rush transplanting outdoors – wait until soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F, as cold stress will permanently stunt pepper plants.

Is TAM Mild Jalapeño good for beginners?▼

Absolutely! TAM Mild Jalapeño is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its disease resistance, reliable production, and forgiving nature. The plants are less finicky than many pepper varieties, tolerate heat well, and produce abundant harvests with basic care. The main requirements are consistent watering and warm temperatures – both easy to manage.

How long does TAM Mild Jalapeño take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

TAM Mild Jalapeño takes approximately 70-75 days from transplant to first harvest, plus 8-10 weeks for indoor seed starting. From seed to harvest, expect about 4-5 months total. This relatively quick maturity makes it suitable for gardeners in shorter growing seasons and allows for extended harvests before fall frost.

What's the difference between TAM Mild Jalapeño and regular jalapeño peppers?▼

The primary difference is heat level – TAM Mild delivers authentic jalapeño flavor at 1,000-3,500 SHU versus 2,500-8,000+ SHU for standard varieties. TAM Mild also tends to be more consistent in size and shape, has slightly thicker walls ideal for stuffing, and shows better disease resistance. The flavor profile remains identical, just with significantly less burn.