Best Peppers to Grow in Texas
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The pepper is among the most beloved and diverse crops in the world. There are 25 different species and over 4,000 unique pepper varieties on the market. So choosing the best one for your needs can seem a bit overwhelming. Like all plants, peppers thrive best in places that mirror their native climates. Here, under the Texan sun, that still only narrows it down to about 2,500 choices. Lucky for you, we combed through hundreds of the most popular local options to pin down the top seven best peppers to grow in Texas. Let’s get started!
Top 3 Peppers to Grow in Texas
1. Scotch Bonnet
Scotch bonnet peppers got their name from their short and stout shape, which resembles a tiny bonnet. But don’t let their adorable appearance fool you - Scotch Bonnets are some of the hottest peppers in the world. Measuring in at a scorching 150,000 Scoville Heat Units, they are the main reason traditional Caribbean food (What wine goes well with Caribbean food?) is so spicy. If you want to make Jamaican Pepper Shrimp or Jerk Chicken that tastes authentic, you’ll need plenty of Scotch Bonnet peppers.
Bonnet shrubs are hardy and pest-resistant, requiring minimal maintenance. The trickiest part of growing them is waiting four months until they fully mature. It’s best to start seeds indoors as early as February. As an alternative, you can grow them in containers from start to finish, allowing you to move the plants indoors on those cold autumn nights.
2. California Wonder
California Wonder is widely considered the gold standard of bell peppers (What wine goes well with bell peppers?). Even though it’s still grown commercially, this variety has remained unchanged since the 1930’s, making it an heirloom breed. That means you can propagate your own seeds indefinitely or even try your hand at breeding brand-new varieties. Plus, unlike other heirloom peppers, the California Wonder produces yields that are on par with the newest hybrids.
For optimal growth, California Wonders should be sown indoors and transplanted in Spring, once the outdoor temperature reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The plants mature within 75 days, though some of the fruit will be ready for picking much sooner. Also keep in mind that they only need six hours of direct sunlight per day. So you should plant them in a somewhat shaded area.
3. Anaheim
When it comes to ornamental varieties that will light up your garden, Anaheim peppers rein supreme. Anaheim bushes grow as tall as 24 inches, and produce long, bright-red fruit that are both eye-catching and full or flavor. You can use them fresh in a salad or a salsa verde, or stuff them for an authentic Mexican Chiles Relleno.
Anaheims take 80 days to reach maturity but they thrive in the fall, so there’s no need to start them indoors. These peppers thrive in warm weather, so consider using mulch if you want to sow seeds early on in the season.
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4. Thai (Prik Ban Chang)
Although they hail all the way from Southeast Asia, Thai peppers thrive in the Texan sun. This variety is great if you’re short on space. The bushes stay compact throughout the season, even as their branches grow heavy with small red fruit. If you enjoy the spicy noodle dishes served at Thai, Cambodian, or Vietnamese restaurants, this is the hot pepper for you.
Beware of overfeeding your Prik Ban Chang. They tend to require more water than other peppers, but are also more susceptible to overfeeding. To keep them happy, use less fertilizer and water them more often than your other veggies.
5. Fresno Chile Jalapeno
No Tex-Mex dinner is complete without a healthy dose of jalapenos. And when it comes to healthy snacks, nothing gets the kids as excited as Jalapeno Poppers and Chipotle Peppers. They are spicy enough to add a kick to any dish, but at 500 Scoville Heat Units, Fresno Chiles aren’t quite hot enough to be a health hazard.
Jalapenos mature in 70-75 days, though some farmers prefer to harvest them around the 60-day mark. And if you let them grow for an extra week, the tiny green peppers will turn red while retaining their signature taste.
6. Habanero
Coming in at number two, it’s our pick for the title of the best Texan hot pepper variety - the Habanero. These peppers come in a wide range of inviting hues. Their colorful texture, combined with their sweet, fruity aroma, can make biting into a fresh Habanero very tempting. You wouldn’t be the first Texan to regret that decision, as fresh Habaneros are rated at 200,000 to 350,000 on the Scoville Heat Index.
Habaneros produce prolific amounts of fruit, so you can expect to harvest 30-40 peppers per plant. Even if you love spicy food, (What wine goes well with spicy food?) that can be a bit too much. Fortunately, there are a few ways to preserve them. You can make salsa that stores for up to a year. You can dry them in a dehydrator and grind them into Habanero powder. Or if you enjoy hot sauce (how long does hot sauce last?), there are dozens of delicious recipes you can make right at home.
7. Shishito
Shishitos may not be shaped like bell peppers, but they offer the same sweet, crisp flavor. Their taste, superior yields and natural pest resistance earned Shishito peppers a spot on our list. But what really puts this variety over the top is the way it retains those qualities after being grilled or pan-fried. Unlike most peppers that wilt, sog and lose their sweetness, Shishitos taste even richer when cooked.
Shishito plants require minimal supervision. As long as they get plenty of sunshine and the soil is well-aerated, you shouldn’t run into any issues. Just don’t forget to harvest them about a week before full maturity to preserve that crisp texture.
That’s all for the top seven peppers to grow in Texas. What’s your favorite pepper? Do you think a different variety deserves a spot on our list? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Sources:
https://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1349667/#b
