Joe E Parker pepper plant with ripe fruit

How to Grow Joe E Parker Pepper From Seed

Updated July 2026

NuMex Joe E Parker is a large, mild green chile in the classic Hatch and Anaheim tradition, bred at New Mexico State University for big yields of thick, smooth pods. The peppers grow 6 to 8 inches long, ripening from glossy green to deep red, with a gentle heat of about 500 to 1,000 Scoville units behind a rich, sweet, roasted-chile flavor. It is the perfect pepper for roasting, green chile sauce, and chiles rellenos. Reliable and productive, it is a favorite for anyone who wants real chile taste without much burn.

This is the quick guide to Joe E Parker. 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 big pods. Pick chiles green for roasting from about 75 to 80 days, or leave them to ripen deep red for drying into ristras.

Best tip

Joe E Parker is a forgiving, heavy-yielding New Mexico chile, but it fruits best with real warmth. Start seeds indoors early and wait until nights stay above 55F before transplanting so the plants set a full load of big pods. In hot-summer regions like Texas or the Southwest, keep the water steady and deep during heat waves so blossoms set instead of dropping, and remember you can pick pods green for roasting or leave them to ripen sweet and 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; ~95 red

Height24 to 30 inches

Spacing18 to 24 inches apart

WaterRegular and deep; keep evenly moist

Uses

Joe E Parker is a classic Hatch-style roasting chile. Fire-roast and peel the thick-walled green pods for chiles rellenos, green chile sauce, enchiladas, stews, and freezing, or let them ripen bright red and string them into ristras. With mild heat and a big, sweet, smoky flavor, it delivers real Southwestern chile taste that the whole family can enjoy.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Joe E Parker take to mature?

Pick pods green for roasting at about 75 to 80 days from transplant, or leave them on the plant another two to three weeks to ripen deep red. Starting seed indoors early gives this productive New Mexico chile the long, warm season it likes.

How hot is a Joe E Parker pepper?

It is mild, roughly 500 to 1,000 Scoville heat units, a NuMex-improved Anaheim type. There is just a gentle warmth behind a big, sweet, roasted-chile flavor, making it a favorite for people who want chile taste without much burn.

What is the best way to use Joe E Parker chiles?

These are classic Hatch-style green chiles. Roast and peel the green pods for chiles rellenos, green chile sauce, stews, and freezing, or let them ripen red and dry them into ristras. The thick walls make them excellent for roasting.

How big are the pods and the plant?

Joe E Parker produces large, smooth, thick-walled pods commonly 6 to 8 inches long on sturdy, heavy-yielding plants about 24 to 30 inches tall. A cage or stake helps support the weight of the big pods once the plant sets a full crop.

Ready to grow your own? NuMex Joe E Parker seeds give you big, mild, thick-walled green chiles perfect for roasting and freezing all season. For the full step-by-step, see our complete pepper growing guide linked at the top of this page.

Mild Pepper Joe E. Parker SeedsHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Joe E. Parker chile — mild, meaty New Mexico roasting pepper.$4.99

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