Anaheim pepper plant with long green mild chile fruit ripening red

How to Grow Anaheim Pepper From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

The Anaheim is a long, slender chile that grows 6 to 8 inches and ripens from glossy green to red. It is a mild chile, running about 500 to 2,500 Scoville, so it delivers gentle, warm flavor rather than real burn. Best known as the classic roasting and stuffing pepper for chiles rellenos, the Anaheim has thick walls and a fresh, grassy flavor. Vigorous and heavy-yielding, it is a Southwestern kitchen essential that is easy to grow at home.

This is the quick guide to Anaheim. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, transplanting, feeding, and troubleshooting peppers, see our complete guide to growing peppers from seed.

Quick start

Start seeds indoors about 8 weeks before your last frost, kept warm at 75 to 85F. Harden the plants off, then transplant them out 18 to 24 inches apart once nights stay above 55F. Give full sun, steady water, and a stake or cage to support the long fruit. Pick peppers green for roasting from about 75 to 80 days, or let them ripen to red at around 90 days for a sweeter, slightly hotter flavor.

Best tip

Anaheim is a productive, forgiving chile, but its heat and flavor deepen with warmth and sun. Start seeds indoors early and wait until nights stay above 55F to transplant. In very hot regions like Texas or Florida, a little afternoon shade during heat waves helps blossoms set; note that hot, dry stress can also push the heat higher. Pick green for roasting and stuffing, or leave a few to ripen red for a sweeter, slightly bolder flavor.

At a glance

Botanical nameCapsicum annuum

Plant typeWarm-season annual

USDA zones3 to 12 (grown as an annual)

SunFull sun (6 to 8+ hours)

Days to maturity75 to 80 days green; ~90 red

Height24 to 36 inches

Spacing18 to 24 inches apart

WaterRegular and deep; keep evenly moist

Uses

The Anaheim is the go-to roasting chile. Fire-roast and peel it for chiles rellenos, green chile sauce, and enchiladas, or chop it fresh into salsas and cornbread. With its long body and thick walls, it stuffs and freezes well, and dried red Anaheims become the mild chile powder used across Southwestern cooking. At 500 to 2,500 Scoville it offers warmth without overwhelming heat, making it a versatile family favorite.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an Anaheim pepper take to grow?

Anaheim peppers are ready to pick green for roasting in about 75 to 80 days from transplant, and ripen red by around 90 days. Start seeds indoors roughly 8 weeks before your last frost.

How hot is an Anaheim pepper?

Anaheim is a mild chile, running about 500 to 2,500 Scoville, so it offers gentle warmth rather than real burn. Hot, dry growing conditions can push the heat toward the upper end of that range.

Should I pick Anaheim peppers green or red?

Pick them glossy green, around 6 to 8 inches long, for the classic roasting and stuffing flavor. If you leave them on the plant to ripen red, they become sweeter and a little hotter.

How big does an Anaheim plant get and does it need staking?

Plants grow about 24 to 36 inches tall and carry long, heavy fruit. A stake or cage helps support the branches so the long peppers do not drag the plant down.

Ready to grow your own? Anaheim seeds give you long, mild chiles that are perfect for roasting, stuffing, and green chile sauce. For the full step-by-step, see our complete pepper growing guide linked at the top of this page.

Mild Pepper Anaheim SeedsHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Anaheim — mild chile peppers ideal for roasting and stuffing.$4.99

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Want more peppers? These value packs pair mild chiles like Anaheim with other varieties:

14 Sweet & Hot Peppers Seeds Variety Pack14 pepper varietiesFourteen sweet and hot peppers in one pack — the easiest way to grow a whole rainbow of varieties.$21.99$17.99

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12 Rare Sweet & Mild Pepper Seeds Variety Pack12 sweet & mild varietiesA dozen mild and sweet peppers, from blocky bells to Cubanelle, for fresh eating and cooking.$19.99$16.99

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14 Herbs & Veggies Salsa Mix Seeds Variety Pack14 salsa-garden varietiesEverything for homemade salsa in one pack: peppers, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and more.$19.99$17.49

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.