When to Pick Jalapeños: 5 Signs to Look For

Jalapeños are a versatile, mildly hot pepper used culinarily across the globe and are most recognizable when green. But since many pepper lovers prefer their jalapeños while in the mature green stage, it can be tricky to know when to harvest them without a color change to signal ripeness. 

You may have read conflicting information about how and when to harvest jalapeños. Perhaps this has even caused you to avoid growing them. But growing jalapeños doesn't have to be a mystery. We'll go over the different colored jalapeños to consider and the importance of harvest timing to give you the confidence to grow and harvest these delicious hot peppers. 

Related: Creating a Pepper Empire: Pepper Geek

Sign 1: Color Change

Most jalapeño lovers want their jalapeños a deep, dark green. If left on the vine, different jalapeño varieties ripen to other colors. However, varieties on the market offer a rainbow of color options for those wanting to add visual interest to their dishes. Ideally, harvest takes place about 80 days after transplant when the fruits are glossy and dark green, with signs of corking (see Sign #2). This stage will provide you with that spiciness you desire from a hot pepper. 

Peppers may reach their full maturity size before maturity color, so pay close attention to the color changes occurring on the vine. Young jalapeños will appear a lighter shade of green, whereas ready-to-harvest ones will deepen and become glossy. Peppers left on the plant to continue maturing will deepen in color and develop red, orange, or yellow striations, eventually fully transitioning to that color. 

It is perfectly fine to consume red jalapeños. They will possess a fruitier, sweeter hot flavor than their green counterparts and contain higher spice levels due to increased capsaicin levels. When checking peppers for ripeness, you can also look inside at the seeds, which will deepen to a beige, tan color from white. 

Serious pepper growers advise waiting to harvest until fruits have reached their final color of ripeness. Whether the deep purple of the "Purple" variety that’s rich in antioxidants, the bright orange of "Orange Spice" which features a hint of tangerine flavor, or the vibrant yellow of the slightly citrusy "NuMex Lemon Spice," wait until most of the pepper has turned its final shade for peak flavor. 

You might notice black mottling on your jalapeños, which is a sign of early or late-season stress from heat or cold weather, not so much ripeness. Fear not: an increase in anthocyanin pigments causes the black mottling and should not affect the flavor. 

Sign 2: Corking

Have you ever wondered why jalapeños often have cracks running the length of the fruit? When pepper plants receive a lot of water in a short period and lots of sunshine, they show signs of what’s referred to as corking in the gardening world. The pale cracks signal that the pepper is ready for harvest, and it typically occurs only in hot peppers. 

While some markets consider this a defect and the fruits less marketable, our friends at Pepper Geeks advise that these harmless white markings signify healthy maturation. Jalapeño corking typically occurs when fruits are still green, and while it signals harvest time, you can pick them any time after you see these lines, depending on the desired ripeness color. 

For peak flavor, harvest peppers when you begin to notice corking. Harvesting at the right time signals the plant to put energy into ripening more fruit. They may start to crack open if you miss the harvest window, so keep your eyes peeled for this feature. 

Sign 3: Firmness

Jalapeños should be firm to the touch and squeeze when ready to harvest. They should just slip right off, so no tugging is needed. Give the peppers more time to ripen if they remain firmly attached when you attempt to harvest them. 

Capsaicin levels found internally give hot peppers various flavor profiles and heat levels. Since the oils are transferable to your skin when you touch them, wear gloves when harvesting and processing jalapeños if you’re particularly sensitive to capsaicin. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching any part of them. 

Pro Tip: Using coconut oil or olive oil as a lotion before touching peppers and before washing your hands will help prevent capsaicin from burning or staying on your hands. 

It is worth noting that environmental factors like soil health and type, moisture levels in the soil, how long the peppers are on the plant, temperatures, and even the position of the pepper on the plant may impact capsaicin levels, as shown in Impact of Environments on the Accumulation of Capsaicinoids in Capsicum spp. by Gurung, T., Techawongstien, S., Suriharn, B., & Techawongstien, S. (2011). 

Pro tip: Not sure if your jalapeños are ripe for harvesting? Harvest a jalapeño you suspect is ready and test it for flavor, spice, and crunchiness. For your records, note the number of days since you transplanted. 

Sign 4: Size

Harvesting peppers at the proper time and size is crucial as it signals the plant to produce more flowers and ripen other fruits, which may give you a second flush. When fully mature, most jalapeño varieties are three to four inches long. To get the most bang for your buck, allow them to grow to at least this size. Stuffed peppers and jalapeño poppers will be most enjoyable with large peppers! 

Under extreme stress, jalapeños may begin to cork or blacken during earlier growth stages. While their size isn’t ideal, and their flavor may contain some hints of bitterness, you should harvest them as you likely won’t see much more growth. 

If it’s the end of the season and peppers of smaller-than-ideal size are present on your plants, pick them so you don’t lose them to the frost. These smaller peppers may not contain as much heat or flavor, but they’ll be fine to freeze for later use or to throw in fresh, end-of-season salsa. 

Sign 5: Days Maturity

The days to maturity may be the most accurate way to know when your peppers are ready to harvest, or at least be a good signal to begin taking note of Signs 1-4. Keep a growing journal or sowing schedule to record important dates to include: 

• Sowing date 
• Germination date 
• Step up date 
• Harden off period 
• Transplant date 
• Plant spacing and trellising method 
• First flower (pinch or not pinched)
• The first sign of fruit 
• Fertilizing schedule 

Growers should refer to the seed packets of their chosen jalapeño variety. Generally, they’ll reach maturity 70 to 80 days after transplant, but early varieties will be ready in as little as 60. Extreme heat, cold, and weather patterns like hail or strong winds that cause stress may stunt overall growth and slow down ripening time. 

Peppers are heavy feeders, so tracking the fertilization schedule could be vital to determining proper planting time and days to maturity for your selected varieties. As a general rule, they need nitrogen-heavy fertilizers in the early stages to help with foliage production, with phosphate and potassium coming in later to help with proper photosynthesizing, pepper formation, and regulating the flow of macronutrients vital to their overall health. Follow all instructions on whatever fertilizer you choose to use. 

Once your jalapeños reach the proper size, allow them to remain on the plant for seven to ten days for the skins to thicken and deepen in color. Then, after using the knowledge you’ve gained here to confirm their readiness, harvest them using sharp, clean pruning shears, leaving ½ inch or so of the stem intact.  

Pro tip: For hotter jalapeños in the same maturity time, withhold irrigation while the fruits ripen. Pepper plants will produce higher levels of capsaicin in each fruit when under stress. 

FAQs

How long do jalapeños take to ripen?

Most jalapeño varieties take 70 to 80 days to reach full size and green maturation. The time between green and red ripening is slower and takes a few more weeks on the vine. Short-season growers should consider early varieties that may ripen in 60 days from transplant. 

Can I pick jalapeños when they are still green?

You should pick your jalapeños when green for prime flavor, but it’s the grower’s preference. Also, there are jalapeño varieties that ripen to colors other than green. 

How do I store jalapeños after harvest?

If you plan to use your peppers within a week or so, add them to a vented bag and your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Airflow will prevent mold. Jalapeños freeze exceptionally well whole or sliced up. Store them in an airtight container or bag, label them before freezing, and use them in soups, stews, stir-fries, and breads within a year. You can also make them into hot pepper jelly with the recipe in our Top 8 Foods to Grow and Preserve article. 

What happens if I leave jalapeños on the plant for too long?

The color will begin to change to its final color. If left on too long, the fruits may become soft and drop from the plant. The spiciness level may even dissipate. 

Can I speed up the ripening process?

To speed up the ripening process: 

• Provide ample sunlight.
• Grow them in a protected area to avoid stress like wind and hard rainfall. 
• Avoid shading them out with tall crops or structures, stunting growth. 
• Use trellises for taller plants to increase sunlight exposure. 
• Remove late-season flowers so the plant sends energy into ripening the fruit on the plant.
• Ethylene gas allows bananas to ripen on your counter, the same gas that triggers pepper ripening. To trigger this step while fruits are on the plant, reduce airflow by covering the plants. 

Add jalapeños harvested before full maturity to a bag in a warm place on your counter, keeping in mind this process will cause them to become sweeter and hotter but also have the potential to rot. 

Written by Jenna Rich of Partners’ Gardens LLC.