15 Best Pepper Varieties to Grow in 2027 (And How to Choose the Right Seeds)
We've selected 15 of our favorite peppers to grow in 2027, from beginner-friendly favorites to unusual varieties that experienced gardeners will love. Discover their flavors, heat levels, and best culinary uses, then find the perfect pepper seeds for your garden.
1. Jimmy Nardello:Best Sweet Pepper for Flavor
Heat level: 0 Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Jimmy Nardello is a beloved Italian heirloom sweet pepper known for its long, slender, bright red fruits and outstanding flavor.
These thin-walled peppers are delicious fried, sautéed, roasted, or eaten fresh. Their naturally sweet flavor makes them a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike.
Why grow it in 2027? Exceptional flavor, beautiful red peppers, and versatile culinary uses.
Shop Jimmy Nardello Pepper Seeds
2. Shishito:Best Pepper for Appetizers
Heat level: Usually 0-200 SHU
Shishito peppers are small, thin-walled Japanese peppers that are typically mild, although an occasional fruit can be surprisingly spicy.
They're famous for being blistered in a hot skillet or grilled and sprinkled with sea salt.
Why grow it in 2027? Productive plants and delicious peppers that are easy to prepare.
3. Big Jim NuMex:
Best Pepper for Roasting
Heat level: Mild to medium, depending on growing conditions.
Big Jim NuMex is a New Mexico chile variety known for producing impressively large green peppers. The thick-fleshed pods are excellent for roasting, stuffing, and making homemade green chile.
If you love the flavor of roasted green chiles, Big Jim deserves a place in your garden.
Why grow it in 2027? Large peppers, classic New Mexico chile flavor, and excellent roasting potential.
4. Hatch 6-4 Chile:
Best Mild New Mexico Green Chile
Heat level: Generally mild
Hatch 6-4 is a classic New Mexico-type green chile with a mild flavor that works beautifully in sauces, stews, enchiladas, and roasted chile recipes.
It's a great choice for gardeners who want authentic green chile flavor without overwhelming heat.
Why grow it in 2027? Versatile mild green chiles for roasting, freezing, and cooking.
5. Jalapeño M:
Best Everyday Hot Pepper
Heat level: Approximately 12,000 SHU
Jalapeño M is a classic jalapeño variety that produces thick-walled green peppers that ripen red.
Use them fresh in salsa, stuffed with cheese, pickled, grilled, or smoked to make chipotles.
Why grow it in 2027? One of the most versatile hot peppers for home gardeners.
6. Sugar Rush Peach:Best Fruity Hot Pepper
Heat level: Often approximately 50,000-100,000 SHU, with variation
Sugar Rush Peach is a distinctive pepper with elongated, peach-colored pods and a fruity, sweet flavor followed by substantial heat.
It's an exciting variety for gardeners looking to try something different, especially those who enjoy making hot sauces and pepper jellies.
Why grow it in 2027? Unusual peach-colored peppers and a memorable combination of sweetness and spice.
Shop Sugar Rush Peach Pepper Seeds
7. Habanada:Best Pepper for Habanero Flavor Without the Heat
Heat level: 0 SHU
Habanada offers the tropical, floral, fruity flavor associated with habaneros without their intense heat.
These bright orange peppers are wonderful for fresh salsa, salads, sauces, and snacking.
Why grow it in 2027? A unique sweet pepper with complex habanero flavor that even heat-sensitive gardeners can enjoy.
8. Poblano:Best Pepper for Stuffing
Heat level: Approximately 500-1,000 SHU
Poblano peppers are large, dark green, heart-shaped peppers prized for their rich, earthy flavor.
They're the traditional choice for chile rellenos and are also excellent roasted, stuffed, or added to soups and sauces.
When fully ripe and dried, poblanos become ancho chiles.
Why grow it in 2027? Mild heat, rich flavor, and excellent versatility in the kitchen.
9. Fresno – Best Pepper for Fresh Salsa
Heat level: Approximately 5,000 SHU
Fresno peppers resemble jalapeños but develop a bright red color and a fruity flavor as they mature.
Their medium heat and attractive appearance make them excellent for fresh salsa, hot sauce, pickling, and garnishes.
Why grow it in 2027? Beautiful red peppers that add color, flavor, and manageable heat to recipes.
10. Bishop's Crown – Best Unusual Pepper Shape
Heat level: Variable, often around 5,000–15,000 SHU
Bishop's Crown produces distinctive, three-sided peppers that resemble little hats or crowns.
The fruits have a fruity flavor, with heat that can vary across different parts of the pepper.
Why grow it in 2027? Eye-catching peppers that are as interesting to grow as they are to eat.
Shop Bishop's Crown Pepper Seeds
11. Anaheim - Best Versatile Mild Chile
Heat level: Approximately 500-1,000 SHU
Anaheim peppers produce long green pods that ripen red. They're popular for roasting, stuffing, grilling, and making mild chile sauces.
Their approachable heat makes them a good choice for gardeners who enjoy flavorful peppers without excessive spiciness.
Why grow it in 2027? Reliable, versatile peppers for everyday cooking.
12. Serrano - Best Pepper for Spicy Salsa
Heat level: Approximately 15,000-25,000 SHU
Serrano peppers are smaller and generally hotter than jalapeños, with a bright, fresh flavor.
They're especially popular in salsa verde, pico de gallo, and Mexican cooking.
Why grow it in 2027? Plenty of heat in a small pepper, with excellent flavor for fresh recipes.
13. Aji Limo - Best Pepper for Citrus-Like Flavor
Heat level: Often approximately 15,000-30,000 SHU
Aji Limo is a flavorful South American pepper known for its bright, citrus-like character and lively heat.
It's especially good in fresh sauces, seafood dishes, ceviche-inspired recipes, and homemade hot sauces.
Why grow it in 2027? Distinctive flavor for gardeners who want more than just heat.
14. Ghost Pepper - Best for Experienced Hot Pepper Growers
Heat level: Commonly around 800,000-1,000,000+ SHU
Ghost Pepper, also known as Bhut Jolokia, is one of the world's famous superhot peppers.
Its intensely spicy pods can be used in tiny quantities to make extremely hot sauces, powders, and seasonings.
Why grow it in 2027? A rewarding challenge for experienced gardeners who enjoy superhot peppers.
15. Carolina Reaper - Best for Extreme Heat Enthusiasts
Heat level: Commonly cited around 1.4–2.2 million SHU
Carolina Reaper is famous for its extraordinary heat and distinctive wrinkled, often pointed fruits.
It is best suited for experienced growers and cooks who understand how to handle superhot peppers safely.
Why grow it in 2027? An exciting addition to a superhot pepper collection.
Shop Carolina Reaper Pepper Seeds
How to Choose the Best Pepper Seeds for Your Garden
Before buying pepper seeds for 2027, consider these five factors.
1. Choose Your Preferred Heat Level
Not all peppers are hot! Choose varieties that match your cooking preferences.
- Sweet peppers (0 SHU): Jimmy Nardello, Habanada
- Mild peppers (under 2,500 SHU): Shishito, Hatch 6-4, Anaheim, Poblano
- Medium-hot peppers (2,500–9,999 SHU): Jalapeño M, Fresno
- Hot peppers (10,000–49,999 SHU): Serrano, Aji Limo, Sugar Rush Peach
- Very Hot (50,000-99,999 SHU): Sugar Rush Peach, Thai Hot
- Extremely Hot (100,000-349,999 SHU): Habanero Orange, Scotch Bonnet Yellow
- Superhot peppers (350,000+ SHU): Bhut jolokia Ghost Pepper, Carolina Reaper
These are general guidelines. Actual heat varies by variety, growing conditions, and individual pepper.
2. Consider Your Growing Season
Peppers love warm weather, but some varieties take longer to mature than others.
Gardeners in Colorado, New Mexico, and other regions with shorter growing seasons should consider starting pepper seeds indoors before their last expected spring frost.
Superhot peppers and other Capsicum chinense varieties often need a longer growing season than many common jalapeños or sweet peppers.
3. Think About How You'll Use Your Peppers
The best pepper to grow is one you'll enjoy eating!
- Roasting: Big Jim NuMex, Hatch 6-4, Anaheim
- Fresh salsa: Jalapeño M, Fresno, Serrano
- Stuffing: Poblano, Big Jim
- Snacking and appetizers: Shishito, Jimmy Nardello
- Hot sauce: Sugar Rush Peach, Aji Limo, Ghost Pepper
- Extreme heat: Carolina Reaper
Growing several varieties gives you more flavors and cooking possibilities throughout the season.
4. Match Your Peppers to Your Garden Space
You don't need a large vegetable garden to grow peppers.
Many pepper varieties grow well in containers, raised beds, or traditional garden rows when given sufficient sunlight, warmth, nutrients, and room for their roots.
Choose containers with drainage holes, use quality potting mix, and place plants where they receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight when possible.
5. Order Your Pepper Seeds Early
Planning ahead gives you time to choose varieties, prepare your seed-starting supplies, and begin growing at the right time for your climate.
Most pepper seeds are started indoors approximately 8–10 weeks before the last expected frost, although some slower-growing varieties benefit from an earlier start.
If you're growing peppers in 2027, winter is a great time to organize your seed collection and get ready for spring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Pepper Seeds
What are the easiest peppers to grow for beginners?
Jalapeños, Shishitos, Anaheims, and many sweet peppers are good choices for beginners. Provide plenty of warmth, sunlight, and consistent watering.
What are the best pepper seeds for containers?
Shishito, jalapeño, and many compact pepper varieties can grow successfully in containers. The right pot size depends on the mature plant.
When should I start pepper seeds for 2027?
Most gardeners should start pepper seeds indoors about 8–10 weeks before their area's average last spring frost. Some superhot peppers benefit from 10–12 weeks or more.
Can I grow sweet and hot peppers together?
Yes! Sweet and hot pepper plants can grow near each other without changing the flavor or heat of the peppers produced that season. Cross-pollination can affect seeds saved for future planting.
What pepper varieties are best for homemade hot sauce?
Sugar Rush Peach, Fresno, Serrano, Aji Limo, Ghost Pepper, and Carolina Reaper offer a wide range of flavors and heat levels for homemade hot sauce.
Ready to Grow Your Best Pepper Garden in 2027?
Whether you're growing your first jalapeño or adding another superhot variety to your collection, choosing the right pepper seeds makes gardening more enjoyable.
At Sandia Seed Company, we offer a wide selection of sweet peppers, New Mexico green chiles, jalapeños, specialty peppers, and superhots for gardeners who love growing their own food.
Explore our pepper seed varieties and start planning your 2027 garden today!
