Jalapeño Pepper in Zone 7a & 7b
Capsicum annuum
Yes, jalapeño pepper grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Feb 13–Feb 20 and plant out Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant jalapeño pepper in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 5–Jul 12 (~72 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of jalapeño pepper in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Bell PepperApr 24–May 1
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)Apr 24–May 1
- 7 Pot Primo PepperApr 24–May 1
- Aji Amarillo PepperApr 24–May 1
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Apr 24–May 1
- Carolina Reaper PepperApr 24–May 1
Jalapeño is the hot pepper most gardeners grow first. Smoked and dried at the red stage, it becomes chipotle.
How jalapeño pepper fits zone 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Jalapeño pepper needs about 72 days from transplant to first harvest.
Jalapeño Pepper planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Aug 24–Aug 31 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | Aug 9–Aug 16 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 15–Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | Aug 4–Aug 11 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | Jul 20–Jul 27 |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 5–Jul 12 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jun 19–Jun 26 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 12–May 19 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Dec–Feb | Feb–Apr | ~72 days after transplanting |
| Summer window | May–Jul | Jul–Sep | ~72 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11bSummer window | Jun–Dec | Aug–Feb | ~72 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 72 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
- Basil: Reputed to repel aphids and improve pepper growth nearby, but a controlled garden trial testing this same claim on a related crop found no pest-reduction benefit from basil, and found higher pest counts on the basil-companioned plants. Treat this pairing as unproven, not as a working pest deterrent.
- Onion: Reputed to deter many common pepper pests, though this specific pairing hasn't been tested the way onion/carrot pest-masking has. Treat it as garden tradition.
Where to buy jalapeño pepper seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's jalapeño pepper seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing jalapeño pepper" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Jalapeño Pepper in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest