Pepper

Basic Information

Seed Number

110

Seed Name

Pepper

Variety

Serrano Chili

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Hot chile pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

March, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 10 – Mar 24

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–21 days

Harvest/Maturity

75–85 days from transplant

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

80-90°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

18-24 in

Row Spacing

30-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

About 1 in/week; maintain even moisture during flowering and fruit development

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil; approximately pH 6.0-6.8

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

About 30 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 70–110 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 3–5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Small flowers; modest
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary; cayenne/chili types may be used in herbal preparations
Succession / Reusable Notes: Start early indoors yearly. Direct sowing outdoors is not recommended in Zone 6B.
Zone 6B Notes: Needs warm soil and nights above ~55°F. Harden off before transplant.
Companion Plants: Basil, onions, carrots, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, tomatoes
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Fennel, brassicas very close by
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors approximately 8 weeks before the May 5 frost date. Transplant after frost danger has passed and nights are warm.
Germination: Maintain warm soil around 80-90°F for reliable pepper germination.
Harvest: Harvest green for the traditional fresh Serrano flavor or allow fruits to ripen red for full maturity and increased sweetness.
Seed Saving: Allow peppers to become fully ripe before collecting seed. Serrano can cross with other Capsicum annuum varieties.
Special Care: Compact plants produce numerous narrow hot peppers. Gloves are useful when processing large quantities of hot fruit.
Research Source: Seeds 'n Such — https://seedsnsuch.com/products/serrano-chili-hot-pepper-seeds — 85-day maturity, 1/4-inch depth, spacing, 30-inch height, full sun and fruit characteristics
Research Source: Ferry-Morse — https://ferrymorse.com/products/pepper-serrano-organic-seeds — 8-week indoor start, 1/4-inch depth and 18-inch spacing
Research Source: Willhite Seed — https://www.willhiteseed.com/0109 — 75-80 day maturity and Serrano planting dimensions
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]