Welcome to the Pepper Patch

Welcome to the Pepper Patch

Posted by Jessie Jacobson on May 8th 2026

Pepper Varieties Available at Tonkadale this Spring

The diversity and flavor profile of peppers is quite incredible. They can be crisp, sweet, fruity, floral, pungent, and of course spicy - and are used in most cuisines around the world. At Tonkadale, we offer a wide variety of peppers for you to grow and enjoy in either gardens or containers.


Pepper Basics

If you want the best chance for beautifully ripe peppers, get your transplants in the ground as soon as the danger of frost has passed. In the Twin Cities, our last average frost date is May 15th. Peppers are a warm season crop, so it is best to wait for the ground to warm up and for the sun to shine before planting out.

Plant peppers in full sun gardens, raised beds, or containers. Make sure to amend gardens and raised beds with compost. When planting in containers or raised beds, we recommend using our organic house blend of potting soil, Tonka Terra. Adding Wiggle Worm Worm Castings or Garden Tone is a great way to give peppers the nutritional jump start they need. Plant peppers 12-18" apart in the ground/raised bed or individually in a 12-14" container.

Depending on the variety of peppers you choose to grow, harvest time can range from 60-110 days. For seeds started indoors and transplanted into the garden, days to harvest is calculated from the transplanting date into the garden to the days the variety should mature and may be harvested. Hot peppers need the most heat to mature, while sweet peppers will be ready earlier in the season. Optimal flavor and spice really depends on what kind of growing season we experience. Soil composition, temperature, and drought tend to increase pepper pungency.

The spiciness in peppers is due to capsaicin, an alkaloid in peppers that causes the sensation of spice. It is found in the placental tissues, internal membrane, and to a lesser extent, the fleshy parts of the pepper fruit. Capsaicin causes a burning sensation which is actually a pain response, not an actual flavor sensation.

Pungency, spiciness, or the heat of chili peppers is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU) and is based on the concentration of capsaicin. For example, bell peppers have a Scoville Rating of 100 while ghost peppers can range from 750,000 to over 1,000,000.

All peppers are part of the genus Capsicum. Peppers grown in home gardens are generally cultivars of Capsicum annuum, Capsicum chinense, and Capsicum frutescens.

Capsicum annuum

This is the most commonly cultivated species of pepper and is native to North America, the Caribbean, and South America. This species includes both mild and hot peppers such as bell peppers and jalapenos.

Capsicum chinense

This species of pepper is commonly known as the habanero-type and is native to North, Central, and South America. The hottest peppers in the world are members of this species and include fatalii, ghost pepper, and scotch bonnet.

Capsicum baccatum

This species originates in Peru and the Andean region in South America. They are typically associated with Peruvian cuisine, and are typically considered part of the condiment trinity along with red onion and cilantro. Their shape is unique and distinct to this species - and usually shaped like caps or hats.

Capsicum frutescens

Peppers of the Capsicum frutescens species likely originated in South or Central America. Unlike other peppers, the fruit of these varieties are erect and abundant, producing up to 120 pods in a season and are mildly spicy. Peppers of this species include Tabasco.

 


Let's meet our pepper line-up!

Anaheim

Anaheim peppers have thick, mildly hot flesh making them great for stuffing, grilling, and roasting. Their 6-8" long fruits ripen from green to red, but are almost always used green.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Stuffing, roasting, grilling

6 - 10 in

78

500-2,500

Subtly sweet, mildly spicy


Ancho Gigantea (Poblano)

This rich, poblano-type pepper is one of the most commonly used peppers in Mexican cuisine. When harvested green, they can be used for roasting and stuffing. When allowed to ripen to red, they can be dried and used as ancho chiles.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Sauce, soup, chile relleno

4 - 6 in

90

1,000 - 2,000

Smoky, yet sweet


California Wonder

The standard bell pepper for many decades, this 1928 introduction is still the largest open-pollinated, heirloom bell you can grow. Perfect stuffing pepper. Blocky 4" by 4", thick-walled, tender, and flavorful.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Stuffing, general use

4-5 in

75

0 - 100

Crisp, mild, sweet


Candy Cane

A stunning ornamental snacking pepper with elongated fruits that start green with creamy white striping before ripening to deep chocolate-cherry red. Crisp, juicy, and incredibly sweet with almost no heat. Compact plants are highly productive and beautiful in containers, raised beds, and edible landscapes. Perfect for fresh snacking, veggie trays, and lunchbox peppers.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Snacking

2 - 3 in

65 - 75 days

0

Sweet


Carolina Reaper

The Reaper is named for the scythe-like tip that it produces. It is considered the hottest pepper in the world, and while completely edible, might best be enjoyed in small amounts. Fruity up front followed by scorching heat, one pepper can flavor hundreds of dishes.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum chinense

Hot sauce, chili powder

2 - 3 in

90

1.5 MM - 2 MM

Fruity, extremely spicy


Cayenne Long Red

Cayenne is one of the best-known hot chili peppers. Producing an abundance of wrinkled fruits that grow 5-6" long, the fruits have thin flesh and are used fresh in hot sauces or dried and ground for cayenne pepper.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Hot sauce, dried, ground

6 - 8 in

75

30,000-50,000

Medium heat, peppery, neutral


Chile Grande (Aneheim)

This pepper produces good yields of 6" long hot peppers. Chili Grande peppers are very spicy, and turn from green to bright red when mature. Plant has green stems, green leaves, and white flowers.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Spicy salsa, seasonings

6 in

85

500 - 1,500

Very spicy


Ghost/Bhut Jolokia

Legendary variety that is one of the world’s hottest peppers. Starts out slow but eventually makes 4' tall plants in favored locations. Thin walled, wrinkled, pointed fruits reach 2-3" in length, ripening mostly to red.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum x frutescens

Hot sauce

2 - 3 in

100-120

1 MM

Extremely spicy


Habanero Helios

Medium, dark orange fruit with blunt ends. High yields, and an early concentrated set of peppers on a medium compact plant.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum chinense

Spicy salsa, seasonings

3 in

90

75,000

Very spicy, fruity, floral


Habanero Primero Red

Early-ripening habanero with citrusy flavor and strong heat. One of the earliest ripening habaneros with large fruit and 1/3 the heat.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum chinense

Spicy salsa, seasonings

2 in

90

200,000 - 350,000

Very spicy, fruity, floral


Holy Moly (Pasilla)

Gourmet quality, chocolate-brown fruits are bright green at early maturity then darken to warm brown over the next 2 weeks. Distinctive, but not overly spicy. Used as a staple in Mexican mole sauce and many other dishes.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Mole, sauces, powder

7 - 9 in

85

1000 - 2,000

Smoky, not too spicy


Hungarian Sweet Banana

Hungarian Sweet Banana produces unsurprisingly, banana-shaped fruits that are 6-8" long with a delightful bright waxy-yellow color, changing to a bright scarlet red as they ripen.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Pickling, frying

6 - 8 in

70

0 - 500

Sweet, mildly spicy


JalapeƱo

Classic hot pepper. Perfect for salsa, or stuffing as poppers. Easy to grow in any sunny garden or large patio pot, these peppers can be harvested throughout the summer when they are green or red.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Salsa, poppers, stuffing

3 - 4 in

80

3,000 - 8,000

Zesty and spicy


JalapeƱo Popper Jalmundo

Giant jalapeño peppers bred specifically for stuffing and grilling. Thick-walled fruits can grow up to 5" long with classic jalapeño flavor and moderate heat. Excellent for jalapeño poppers, smoking, roasting, nachos, salsa, and pickling. Heavy yields on vigorous plants make this a favorite for gardeners who love cooking with fresh peppers.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Salsa, poppers, stuffing

5 in

70 - 80

5,000

Zesty and spicy


Jamaican Scotch Bonnet

Closely related to the habenero, but with a sweeter, citrusy flavor. Still extra hot, and with a more stout shape.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum chinense

Hot sauce, fresh eating

1 - 2 in

95

10,000-350,000

Sweet, fruity, spicy


Lemon Drop

Bright yellow heirloom peppers from Peru with vibrant, citrusy flavor and lively heat. The narrow pendant fruits have a fruity, tropical aroma that shines in salsa, hot sauce, ceviche, and other seafood dishes. Plants are tall, productive, and loaded with colorful peppers late into the season.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Salad, snacking

2 -3 in

90 - 100

15,000 - 30,000

Citrus


Lesya

This pepper is believed to be the sweetest of all peppers. Heart-shaped fruit ripens to deep red when ripe. Intensely juicy texture. High yielding.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Salad, snacking, stuffed

3 - 4 in

80

0

Very mild and sweet


Mad Hatter

A unique, wing-shaped pepper with a sweet, fruity flavor and only a touch of heat near the seeds. The playful three-sided fruits mature from green to bright red, and are incredibly productive. Delicious fresh, stuffed, pickled, or added to charcuterie boards. One of the best conversation-starter peppers in the garden.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum baccatum

Garnish, snacking, charcuterie

2 - 3 in

85 - 95

500

Fruity, spicy


Marconi

Long, tapered Italian frying peppers with thin skin, rich sweetness, and outstanding flavor. Fruits grow up to 10" long and mature from green to red. Exceptional for grilling, sautéing, roasting, sandwiches, pizza, and fresh eating. Productive plants continue producing through Summer heat.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Frying, grilling

8 - 10 in

75

0

Sweet


Orange Bell

Orange bell peppers are plump, crisp, and fruity. They are ideal for stuffing, roasting, and sautéing.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Salad, fresh, stuffing

4 in

80

100

Very mild and sweet


Padron

Famous Spanish tapas peppers traditionally blistered in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. Most peppers are mild and nutty, but occasionally one surprises you with extra heat. Small, tender fruits are best harvested young and green. Highly productive compact plants are perfect for containers and kitchen gardens.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Frying, tapas

2 - 4 in

60 - 70

0

Mild, occasionally spicy


Pepperoncini

Mild, tangy Italian peppers commonly used for pickling and antipasto. Thin-walled fruits are slightly sweet with just a touch of heat. Excellent fresh, pickled, grilled, or sliced onto sandwiches, salads, pizza, and charcuterie boards. Heavy-yielding plants produce continuously through the season.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Pickling, antipasti

2 - 5 in

60 - 70

100 - 500

Tangy, mild


Red Beauty

An early, prolific variety bearing very sweet four-lobed peppers with thick walls. These brilliant, bright red bells are juicy and sweet. Widely adapted and easy to grow. The peppers turn from green to red when mature.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Fresh, stuffed

6 in

75

0

Bright, fresh


Serrano

Hails from the foothills of Puebla, Mexico. Flavor is bright and biting, with a delayed fuse. Unripe peppers are green and ripen into a kaleidoscope of colors: red, brown, orange, and yellow.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Fresh, salsa, guacamole

2 - 4 in

75

10,000-23,000

Bright, biting, spicy


Shishito

A favorite among chefs with a mildly spicy flavor that is great fried, grilled, and blistered. A Japanese frying pepper with thin skin.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Fried, grilled, blistered

2 - 4 in

60

50 - 200

Mildly spicy


Sugar Rush Peach

A surprising combination of fruit and fire. Fruit is full of tropical flavor, while seeds bring a smoky, complex heat. Super high yields.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum baccatum

Sauce

2 - 4 in

60 - 80

50,000-100,000

Fruity fire, tropical, smoky


Super Hungarian Hot

Early, large-shouldered, very hot, tapered fruit. Bright creamy-yellow color.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Pickling, frying

5 - 6 in

70

5,000-15,000

Sweet, hot, tangy


Tabasco

This pepper needs no introduction since becoming the famous ingedient in the famous sauce. Peppers mature from yellow-green to orange to red and have a unique, smoky flavor that contributes to Tabasco's distinctive taste.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum frutescens

Sauce, dried, fermented

2 in

80

30,000-50,000

Smoky and spicy


Thai Dragon

Extremely productive plants covered in slender, upright hot peppers that ripen from green to bright red. Peppers pack intense, clean heat and are excellent for stir fry, curry, chili oil, drying, and hot sauces. Great for gardeners looking for high yields and authentic Asian-style heat.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Stir fry, drying, chili oil

3 - 4 in

75 - 80

50,000 - 100,000

Fiery, hot


Yum Yum Mix

Compact plants loaded with mini sweet peppers in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Thick-walled fruits are exceptionally crisp, juicy, and sweet. Perfect for fresh snacking, lunchboxes, grilling, and container gardening! Earlier to mature than full-sized bell peppers, and highly productive all summer long.

Species Use Fruit Size Days to Harvest Scoville Rating Flavor

Capsicum annuum

Snacking

2 - 3 in

55 - 65

0

Sweet


 

If you have any questions about the pepper varieties we are carrying this season, feel free to stop in and ask! Otherwise, email us at hello@tonkadale.com - we're here to help!

See you at Tonkadale!