How to Grow Anaheim Peppers: Tips, Advice, and Fascinating Facts

Anaheim peppers, also known as California chili or Magdalena, are a popular choice for gardeners who enjoy mildly spicy peppers with a hint of sweetness. Their versatility in cooking—whether roasted, stuffed, or added to sauces—makes them a garden favorite. Growing Anaheim peppers is relatively easy, and with proper care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of these flavorful peppers. Here’s your guide to growing Anaheim peppers, along with interesting facts and answers to common questions.

1. Choose the Right Variety

Anaheim peppers come in a few different varieties, offering slight variations in flavor, heat, and size. Choosing the right type depends on your climate and cooking preferences:

Traditional Anaheim: Mild heat with a slightly sweet flavor, perfect for roasting or adding to sauces.
New Mexico (Hatch): A variation grown in New Mexico, Hatch peppers have a stronger flavor and heat level compared to the traditional Anaheim.
Big Jim: A larger and hotter version of the Anaheim pepper, ideal for stuffing.

2. Start Seeds Indoors

Anaheim peppers need a long growing season, so it’s best to start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Here’s how to start your plants:

Containers: Use seed trays or small pots filled with well-draining seed-starting mix.
Temperature: Keep the soil temperature between 70-80°F for optimal germination, which typically takes 7-14 days.
Light: Ensure seedlings receive at least 12-16 hours of light per day using grow lights or placing them near a sunny window.

3. Transplanting Outdoors

Once the danger of frost has passed and the seedlings are 4-6 inches tall, you can transplant them outdoors:

Hardening Off: Gradually expose the seedlings to outdoor conditions for a week before transplanting to reduce transplant shock.
Location: Anaheim peppers thrive in full sun, so choose a sunny location that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
Soil: Anaheim peppers prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding compost or organic matter to the soil will improve fertility and drainage.

4. Spacing and Support

Proper spacing is essential to ensure healthy growth and prevent disease:

Spacing: Plant Anaheim peppers about 18-24 inches apart to allow for good airflow and enough room for the plants to grow.
Support: As Anaheim pepper plants can grow up to 2-3 feet tall, staking or using small cages can help support the plants and prevent the stems from bending under the weight of the peppers.

5. Consistent Watering

Consistent watering is key to producing healthy Anaheim peppers:

Watering Schedule: Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, as overly wet soil can lead to root rot.
Mulching: Applying mulch around the base of the plants helps retain moisture, prevent weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

6. Fertilizing for Growth

Fertilizing your Anaheim peppers helps boost growth and fruit production:

Initial Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) when transplanting seedlings into the garden.
Ongoing Fertilization: Apply a side dressing of fertilizer when the plants begin to flower and again as they start producing peppers. Be mindful not to over-fertilize with nitrogen, as this can result in leafy plants with fewer peppers.

7. Pests and Diseases

Anaheim peppers are relatively hardy but can still fall victim to pests and diseases. Here’s how to protect them:

Common Pests: Watch for aphids, flea beetles, and spider mites. Regularly inspect your plants and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control infestations.
Diseases: Keep an eye out for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and bacterial leaf spot. To prevent these, ensure proper plant spacing, water at the base of the plants, and avoid overhead watering.

8. Harvesting Anaheim Peppers

Anaheim peppers can be harvested at different stages of ripeness, depending on how you plan to use them:

When to Harvest: Anaheim peppers are typically harvested when they are 6-8 inches long and still green, but you can leave them on the plant longer to ripen to a red color, which results in a sweeter, more complex flavor.
How to Harvest: Use pruning shears or scissors to cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a small portion of the stem attached to avoid damaging the plant.

Fascinating Facts About Anaheim Peppers

Scoville Rating: Anaheim peppers have a mild heat, ranging between 500 and 2,500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making them less spicy than jalapeños.
Origin: The name “Anaheim” comes from the city in California where these peppers were brought and popularized by a farmer named Emilio Ortega in the early 20th century.
Versatile in the Kitchen: Anaheim peppers are commonly used in Southwestern and Mexican cuisine, often roasted and stuffed for dishes like chiles rellenos or added to soups and stews.
Dried Form: When dried, Anaheim peppers are known as “California chile” or “Chile Seco del Norte,” and they are often ground into chili powder.

Common Questions About Growing Anaheim Peppers

Q: Why are my Anaheim peppers turning red?
A: Anaheim peppers will naturally turn red as they fully ripen. If you prefer the mild green flavor, harvest them while they’re still green. If left on the plant, they’ll develop a sweeter, more complex flavor as they ripen to red.

Q: How long does it take Anaheim peppers to mature?
A: Anaheim peppers typically take 70-85 days to mature from planting. They can be harvested green, or you can leave them on the plant to ripen further and turn red.

Q: Can I grow Anaheim peppers in containers?
A: Yes, Anaheim peppers can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 5 gallons in size and have good drainage. Make sure the container is placed in a sunny location and that you water regularly, as container plants tend to dry out faster.

Q: How do I prevent my Anaheim peppers from getting sunscald?
A: Sunscald can occur when peppers are exposed to intense, direct sunlight for too long. To prevent this, ensure the plants have adequate foliage to protect the peppers or provide partial shade during the hottest part of the day.

Q: Should I prune my Anaheim pepper plants?
A: Pruning isn’t necessary but can help encourage more branching and better airflow, which can lead to a larger yield. Remove any dead or damaged leaves, and consider trimming back the plant if it becomes too bushy.

Find out more facts about different peppers here