Poblano 'Mulato'
Capsicum annuum 'Mulato'
A traditional Mexican poblano variety that produces large, heart-shaped peppers perfect for chiles rellenos and authentic Mexican cooking. When fresh, these peppers offer mild heat and rich flavor, and when dried they become mulato chiles - one of the essential peppers for mole sauce. An absolute must for serious Mexican cuisine enthusiasts.
Harvest
80-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Poblano 'Mulato' in USDA Zone 7
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Poblano 'Mulato' · 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 | — | September – 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 poblanos store best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where they'll maintain quality for 1-2 weeks. Avoid washing before storage – only clean just before use. For short-term storage, keep at room temperature for 2-3 days maximum.
For long-term preservation, roasting and freezing works exceptionally well with poblanos. Char the skins over an open flame or under the broiler, steam in a paper bag for 10 minutes, then peel, seed, and freeze in portions. They'll keep for 6-8 months frozen.
To create authentic mulato chiles, thread fresh peppers on string and hang in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area until completely dehydrated (4-6 weeks). Properly dried mulatos will keep for years when stored in airtight containers. You can also use a food dehydrator at 125°F for faster results. Whole dried mulatos are essential for traditional mole recipes and add incomparable smoky, chocolate-like notes to Mexican dishes.
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 trellising systems
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on aphids
Carrots
Utilize different soil layers and carrots help break up soil for pepper roots
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Chives
Repels aphids and may help deter larger pests like rabbits
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone which is toxic to peppers and causes stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper growth
Apricot Trees
Can harbor verticillium wilt which easily spreads to pepper plants
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2747662)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate disease resistance, good heat tolerance
Common Pests
Aphids, pepper maggot, flea beetles, cutworms
Diseases
Bacterial spot, cercospora leaf spot, verticillium wilt