How to Grow Big Jim Pepper From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Big Jim is the legendary New Mexico chile bred for size, producing some of the longest pods of any pepper, commonly 8 to 12 inches. The meaty, mild-to-medium fruit ripens from green to red and rates only about 500 to 2,000 Scoville heat units, so its rich chile flavor shines without overwhelming heat. It is the classic pepper for fire-roasting, chile rellenos, and green chile stew. Give it room, sun, and support and it will produce generously.

Ready to grow your own? Shop Hot Pepper Big Jim Seeds from Organo Republic.

This is the quick guide to Big Jim. 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 to 10 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 stake or cage the tall plants early since the long pods are heavy. Pick pods green from about 75 to 80 days, or leave them to ripen red (around 100 days) for a sweeter, richer flavor.

Best tip

Big Jim is a New Mexico chile bred for size, so give it room, sun, and steady feeding to grow those famously long pods. Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost and transplant out once nights stay above 55F. Because the pods are heavy and the plants get tall, stake or cage them early so branches do not snap under the load. Steady water and a little extra warmth help the huge fruit finish and ripen from green to red.

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; ~100 red

Height24 to 36 inches

Spacing18 to 24 inches apart

WaterRegular and deep; keep evenly moist

Uses

Big Jim is the classic roasting and rellenos chile. Its long, meaty, mild-to-medium pods are ideal for fire-roasting and peeling, stuffing for chile rellenos, chopping into green chile stew, or freezing after roasting for year-round use. Picked green it has a bright, mild heat; left to ripen red it turns sweeter and richer. The generous size means just a few pods go a long way.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Big Jim pepper take to grow?

Big Jim needs a long, warm season. Expect about 75 to 80 days from transplant to harvest green pods, and around 100 days for fully red-ripe fruit. Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost.

How hot is a Big Jim pepper?

Big Jim is mild to medium, roughly 500 to 2,000 Scoville heat units, so it is much milder than a jalapeno. That gentle, rich chile flavor is what makes it ideal for roasting and rellenos.

How big do Big Jim peppers get?

Big Jim is famous for its size: pods commonly reach 8 to 12 inches long on tall, productive plants. Because the fruit is heavy, stake or cage the plants so branches do not break under the load.

What are Big Jim peppers used for?

Big Jim is the classic New Mexico roasting chile. Fire-roast and peel the long pods for chile rellenos, green chile stew, enchilada sauce, or freezing. Picked green it is mild and bright; ripened red it turns sweeter and richer.

Ready to grow your own? Heirloom Big Jim seeds give you the famous extra-long New Mexico chiles that are perfect for roasting and rellenos. For the full step-by-step, see our complete pepper growing guide linked at the top of this page.

Big Jim Pepper Seeds – Non-GMO HeirloomHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Big Jim chile — famously long pods, mild heat, great for roasting.

Price$4.99

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Want more peppers? These value packs pair Big Jim with other varieties:

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Pepper Seeds Variety Pack – Non-GMO Heirloom13 super-hot varietiesThirteen fiery chilis for heat lovers, from habanero to the hottest peppers we carry.

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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.