Anaheim is generally mild to moderately hot, often around 500–2,500 Scoville units. This range remains indicative; red fruit, plants stressed by heat or drought, and some lots may seem hotter. It is much milder than a habanero but capsaicin may still irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves, taste a small amount, and remove membranes and seeds to reduce some of the sensation.
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Organic long fleshy mild-to-moderately-hot pepper
Solanaceae
Organic hot pepper seeds
Organic ‘Anaheim’ hot pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Anaheim’)
Capsicum annuum ‘Anaheim’
‘Anaheim’ is an organic heirloom open-pollinated pepper producing long smooth fleshy fruit, dark green then deep red. Generally mild-to-moderate heat around 500–2,500 SHU suits grilling, stuffed peppers, sauces, and marinades. The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 25 seeds, height of 60–90 cm, spread of 40 cm, germination in 7–14 days at 24–30°C, and harvest around 80 days after transplanting.
Quantity
About 25 seeds
Exposure
Full sun in a warm sheltered location
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Species
annuum
Cultivar
Anaheim
Type
Organic long fleshy mild-to-moderately-hot pepper
Cycle
Annual in Quebec climates; frost-tender perennial where frost-free
Organic ‘Anaheim’ hot pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Anaheim’) is a productive versatile heirloom and open-pollinated pepper. Long smooth fleshy fruit is generally harvested green, then ripens deep red. Mild-to-moderate heat, commonly around 500–2,500 Scoville units, allows roasting, stuffing, grilling, pickling, or adding to sauces without masking other flavours. Relatively thick flesh peels well after cooking.
Sow indoors February through April, eight to ten weeks before last frost, 0.5–1 cm deep. Maintain 24–30°C until emergence, generally in 7–14 days, then provide strong light. Harden gradually and transplant once frost risk has passed and nights remain above approximately 12°C. Choose full sun and rich well-drained soil, water deeply once the surface begins to dry, and feed moderately to balance foliage, flowers, and fruit.
The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 25 seeds, height of 60–90 cm, spread of 40 cm, a recommended 15–20 L container, and harvest around 80 days after transplanting. Commercial Anaheims often reach 15–20 cm long but this lot's exact fruit size is not specified. Harvest green for fresher milder flavour or await full red colour for more sweetness and heat. Wear gloves during processing and stake branches once the crop becomes heavy.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
Approximately 0.5 to 1 cm (¼ to ⅜ in)
Spacing / density
Approximately 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) between plants and 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 in) between rows
Establishment temperature
Approximately 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F)
Establishment time
Approximately 7 to 14 days
Best planting time
February through April indoors; transplant after frost once nights remain above approximately 12°C
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow 0.5–1 cm deep in light mix eight to ten weeks before last frost. Maintain 24–30°C and even moisture until emergence, then provide 14–16 hours of strong light. Pot up at several true leaves without deeply burying the stem. Harden for 7–10 days and transplant once soil is warm and nights remain above approximately 12°C. Space 40–50 cm apart, water immediately, stake if needed, and remove first flowers only if the plant remains very small.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun in a warm sheltered location
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
12°C (54°F)
Watering
Keep seed-starting mix evenly moist during germination without saturating cells, then let the surface dry slightly between waterings once seedlings establish. After transplanting, water deeply at soil level once the top two or three centimetres begin to dry. Alternating drought and excess water causes blossom drop, stalled fruit, and uneven tissue. Mulch only once soil is warm, water in the morning, and avoid wetting foliage. In containers check daily during heat but never leave standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Choose deep loose soil rich in mature compost and very well drained, able to retain even moisture without remaining cold or waterlogged. Peppers succeed at slightly acidic to neutral pH approximately 6.0–7.0. Warm the bed before transplanting and avoid fresh manure, which encourages overly soft growth. In heavy soil use a raised bed. Rotate three to four years away from tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and other peppers where soil disease has occurred. A soil test allows organic matter and nutrients to be adjusted without excess.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting and use balanced organic fertilizer only according to a soil test or label. During establishment moderate nutrition supports sturdy plants. Once flowering begins avoid high-nitrogen doses that produce many leaves but delay fruit set and ripening. If a container plant pales despite proper watering, apply one low balanced liquid dose then reassess after a week. Never feed dry mix, do not allow salts to accumulate, and stop late applications when remaining warm-season time cannot ripen new fruit.
Seasonal care
In spring keep seedlings warm under strong light and pot up before roots circle cells. Harden gradually then transplant after frost. In summer mulch once soil is warm, tie plants loosely if bending, and harvest regularly. Monitor aphids, whiteflies, and mites, especially under protection. In autumn move containers inside during cold nights or cut loaded branches to finish colouring indoors; discard diseased or rotten fruit.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
15 to 20 L (4 to 5 gal) per plant
Use a 15–20 L container per plant, at least 30 cm deep, with numerous holes. Fill with rich but well-drained mix and place in the warmest sunniest location available. Install a stake at planting so roots are not injured later. Water deeply once the surface begins to dry, feed moderately following label directions, and rotate the pot regularly. Protect or move the container inside once nights approach 12°C.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
White to greenish white
Foliage color
Dark green tinged with green; young plants sometimes strongly green
Foliage type
Herbaceous
Growth rate
Moderate to fast in warm conditions
Bloom period
Small greenish-white blossoms during the warm season
Fruiting
Abundant crop of long fleshy green-to-red mild-to-moderately-hot fruit
Harvest
Harvest with clean scissors once fruit reaches useful size and skin is firm. Green fruit is fresher, more vegetal, and generally milder; red fruit gains sweetness, aroma, and often heat. Cut the stem without pulling branches and pick regularly to sustain production. For roasting, blister the skin, rest covered, then peel. Wear gloves, avoid eye contact, and promptly refrigerate or process damaged fruit.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Eggplant, carrot, onion, peas, tomato
Avoid planting with
Fennel, kohlrabi
Very hot sauces, labelled dried blends, and tested preserving recipes
From the garden to inspiration.
Baked stuffed Anaheim — Wear gloves. Wash four sound fruit, split, and remove stems, seeds, and membranes. Combine 250 g cooked beans, 150 g cooked rice, 100 g corn, 100 g tomato, and 80 g cheese. Fill and bake at 190°C until filling reaches 74°C and peppers are tender. Serve hot and refrigerate leftovers within two hours. Discard every mouldy, fermented, or abnormal-smelling fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Both stages are useful. Green fruit has fresh slightly vegetal flavour and firm flesh ideal for roasting or stuffing. As it ripens red it becomes sweeter, more aromatic, and often somewhat hotter; this stage suits sauces, drying, and marinades. Harvest some green to encourage more fruit and let the final crop turn red if the warm season allows.
The plant needs a long warm season before producing and colouring an abundant crop. Sowing eight to ten weeks before last frost gives sufficiently advanced plants once nights become safe. Starting much earlier may create root-bound tall stressed plants. Maintain 24–30°C until emergence, then use strong light and pot up as needed before hardening.
Yes. Use one 15–20 L deep well-drained container per plant with rich mix. Place in full sun against a warm wall and install a stake at planting. Check moisture daily during heat, feed moderately, and rotate the pot so all branches receive light. Container mobility allows protection once nights approach 12°C and helps the final fruit ripen.
Sow February through April, approximately eight to ten weeks before expected last frost. A temperature of 24–30°C supports emergence in 7–14 days, then seedlings need strong light to remain compact. Pot up if roots fill cells but do not start so early that plants become root-bound. Harden for 7–10 days and transplant only after frost once nights remain above approximately 12°C.
Its strengths, naturally.
Plants that attract butterflies
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