Grow Hatch Chile seeds in your garden this year and experience one of the best flavors in the world! Growing Hatch chile plants is easy – if you can grow other peppers or tomatoes, you have the right growing conditions for Hatch chile!
Hatch Chile varieties range in heat, so you can pick out mild, medium-hot to extra hot chiles for your tastes. See all of our Hatch Chile seed varieties »
If you don't live close enough to New Mexico to get chile from the farmers, then grow them! You can easily grow Hatch chiles from seeds. To ensure a successful harvest, we recommend starting your Hatch chile seeds indoors under lights about 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost, using a good seed-starting mix. Maintaining a warm, consistently moist environment is key for germination. Pepper seeds like to germinate in 80-90˚ F temperatures, so a seedling heat mat can really help speed them along.
Plant Hatch Chiles in full sun in good fertile soil. You can also grow them in large pots, we'd recommend at least 5 gallon pots or larger for the best results.
Learn more about How to Grow Hatch Chiles from Seed »
Common Hatch Chile Growing Questions:
What makes a Hatch Chile, Hatch?
Technically, Hatch chile varieties must be grown in the Hatch region of New Mexico to be called true Hatch chiles, as the unique soil and climate there create their distinctive flavor. However, these varieties still taste delicious no matter where you grow them. For many people living outside of New Mexico, getting genuine Hatch chiles is not easy, so why not share the love by growing Hatch chile varieties wherever you live? We have customers all over the world growing our Hatch chile seeds in their gardens, from Japan to Wyoming.
When should you start Hatching Chile Seeds?
Hatch chile plants are warm-season vegetables, so it is best to your seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost in your area, and transplant them into the garden once temperatures have warmed up to 50-60˚F at night.
Are Hatch chiles hotter than jalapenos?
Yes! Some varieties of Hatch chiles can be hotter than jalapeños, but it depends on the jalapeno variety and the variety of chile. Here's our Green Chile List by Heat to give you an idea of the range of heat these pods provide. The heat level of Hatch chiles varies, ranging from mild to extra hot.
Are Hatch chilis and poblanos the same?
No, they are different varieties of chiles. Both are delicious but have different shapes, flavor profiles and heat levels.
Do you have to roast Hatch chiles?
While we think that roasting chiles to get them charred gives them the best flavor, you can also use other methods to prepare them. For example, steaming Hatch Chile pods is an option, or you can use an air fryer or put them under a broiler in the oven. We like to roast our chile pods on a gas grill outside to char and blister the skins for easy removal and flavor that is out of this world! After roasting them, let them sweat and steam in a glass dish with lid, then once cooled you can peel the skins off and dice them or stuff them to use in any variety of chile recipes.
Old school: We like to steam them in a glass pyrex dish with glass lid rather than plastic to cut down on waste, chemicals, and preserve the flavors!
Are Big Jim peppers the same as Hatch peppers?
Yes, Big Jims are grown from seeds of that variety which is very popular in the Hatch area. "Hatch Chile" refers to varieties actually grown in the Hatch Valley region along the Rio Grande, which includes the village of Hatch with its famous annual Chile Festival. But you can grow them wherever you garden!
If you're looking for Big Jim seeds, Poblano seeds, Jalapeno Seeds, or other New Mexican green chiles, explore our Green Chile Seeds collection for all your favorites.
Happy growing!
