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Padron Pepper

Capsicum annuum 'Padron'

A beloved Spanish heirloom famous for the culinary roulette they provide - most are sweet and mild, but about 1 in 10 packs a spicy surprise. These small green peppers are traditionally harvested young and served simply grilled with coarse sea salt as a popular tapas dish throughout Spain. Easy to grow and incredibly productive, they've become a favorite among home chefs seeking authentic Spanish flavors.

Harvest

60-70d

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 Padron Pepper in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Padron Pepper · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, moderately fertile soil

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, even moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorMostly sweet and mild, with occasional hot peppers (1,500-2,500 Scoville)

ColorBright to dark green when harvested young

Size2-4 inches long, 0.75 inches 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 Padron peppers keep best stored unwashed in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer for up to one week. They'll maintain peak flavor and crispness for 3-4 days at room temperature if you plan to use them immediately.

For longer storage, blanch whole peppers in boiling water for 2 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 6 months — they're perfect for adding directly to stir-fries or grilled dishes. You can also pickle them whole in a simple brine of vinegar, water, and salt.

Dehydrating works well too: slice peppers in half, remove seeds, and dry at 135°F until brittle. Store dried peppers in airtight containers for up to one year. Unlike many pepper varieties, Padrons don't ferment well due to their thin walls and high moisture content, so stick to quick pickling methods for preserved preparations.

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 strong scent compounds

Tomato

Similar growing requirements and can share support structures

Oregano

Repels pests like cucumber beetles and provides ground cover

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and adds beneficial insects

Carrots

Deep roots don't compete and help break up soil for pepper roots

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Chives

Repels aphids and may improve pepper growth and flavor

Keep Apart

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth

Walnut Trees

Produce juglone toxin that stunts or kills pepper plants

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper development

Nutrition Facts

Calories

27kcal(1%)

Protein

1.66g(3%)

Fiber

3.4g(12%)

Carbs

5.35g(2%)

Fat

0.45g(1%)

Vitamin C

82.7mg(92%)

Vitamin A

17mcg(2%)

Vitamin K

9.5mcg(8%)

Iron

0.46mg(3%)

Calcium

14mg(1%)

Potassium

256mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169394)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to common pepper ailments

Common Pests

Aphids, flea beetles, pepper weevil, spider mites

Diseases

Bacterial spot, pepper mosaic virus, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Padron peppers take to grow from seed?▼

Padron peppers take 60-70 days from transplanting to first harvest, or about 120-130 days total from seed if you start indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost. In warm climates, they'll produce continuously until the first frost, giving you months of harvests from a single planting.

Can you grow Padron peppers in containers?▼

Yes, Padron peppers are excellent container plants. Use at least a 5-gallon pot with drainage holes, as their compact 3-4 foot size fits well in containers. Place in full sun and water more frequently than ground-planted peppers. Container growing can actually help control their heat levels by managing stress conditions.

Why are some Padron peppers hot and others mild?▼

About 1 in 10 Padron peppers turns hot due to environmental stress factors like heat, drought, or late harvest. This unpredictability is part of their genetic makeup developed over centuries in Spain. Smaller, younger peppers (under 1½ inches) are usually mild, while larger, more mature ones are more likely to be spicy.

When should I plant Padron pepper seeds?▼

Start Padron pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost date. Transplant outdoors only after soil temperatures reach 60°F consistently and all danger of frost has passed. In most temperate climates, this means starting seeds in February-March for May transplanting.

Are Padron peppers good for beginner gardeners?▼

Padron peppers are excellent for beginners due to their disease resistance, compact size, and forgiving nature. They're more tolerant of cooler conditions than many pepper varieties and produce heavily with basic care. The main requirement is consistent watering and warm soil for transplanting.

What do Padron peppers taste like?▼

Most Padron peppers have a sweet, mild flavor with grassy, slightly fruity notes and no heat. However, about 10% pack a spicy surprise ranging from 1,500-2,500 Scoville units. The traditional preparation — simply grilled with coarse sea salt — highlights their natural flavor without masking the pepper's character.