Did you know that Serrano peppers are basically just a smaller version of jalapeno peppers? On the Scoville scale (a measurement of pepper heat), it rakes in between 5,000 to 23,000 Scoville units, making it slightly hotter than the jalapeno. Growing Serrano peppers is also similar to growing jalapeno peppers, and it's actually fairly easy! If you'd like to learn more about how to grow Serrano peppers, keep reading this easy to follow grow guide!
How to Grow Serrano Peppers in The Garden
Growing your own Serrano is both rewarding and fun! This pepper gets its name and origin from the mountainous regions of Hidalgo and Pueblo in Mexico. The word serrano is a reference to the Spanish word for mountains, sierra!
Planting Serrano Peppers
- It’s best to start growing your Serrano peppers indoors and transplanted them outdoors after 8-12 weeks.
- While indoors, keep the Serrano seedlings moist, but do not over water them.
- Keep them warm and in a sunny place such as a a windowsill that’s facing the South side.
- Once all danger of spring frost has passed, you may transplant your seedlings outdoors in the garden or in a pot.
- Choose a sunny spot as peppers love the sun and grow best when they’re warm.
- Mix in mushroom compost or any other organic matter into your potting soil.
- Space each plant about 14-16 inches apart and 2-3 feet apart in between rows.
Serrano Pepper Care:
- Mulch well around the plant to keep soil moist.
- Water regularly.
- Once the fruits start to form, you may notice that the weight of the peppers may put a strain on the stem. To avoid this stress, tie the stems to stakes using pantyhose. Avoid using twine or twist ties as this may break the plant.
Harvesting Serrano Peppers:
- Pinch off any early blooms to encourage production of larger peppers later on in the season.
- Serrano peppers can be harvested earlier in the season, once they are green or purple, but their flavor will improve as they mature.
- For best flavor, harvest peppers when they are red, yellow, orange, or green, as long as they are full sized.
- Remove the fruit from the stem gently, and do not pull or yank.
Serrano Pepper Companion Plants:
You can plant Serrano peppers alongside the following plants:
Avoid planting Serrano peppers alongside fennel or kohlrabi.
So now that you know how to grow Serrano peppers, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting!
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