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NuMex Big Jim Chile Pepper

Scientific name Capsicum annuum L.

About this variety

NuMex Big Jim is the large-podded New Mexican chile released by New Mexico State University in 1975 and widely used for roasting, stuffing, and chile rellenos.NMSU describes mature green fruit averaging about 7.68 inches long and 1.89 inches wide, with thick flesh, a smooth surface, and a tapered, often hooked tip. Plants average 16 to 26 inches tall....

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Alliance of Native Seedkeepers  |  SKU: HPP34
$150 USD $200
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Pickup available at Bertie County Seeds

Usually ready in 2-4 days

At a glance

The facts most gardeners need first

View the full variety record
50 minimum seeds per packet
  • Germination7-14 days · 75–90 °F
  • SunFull sun
  • Support & spacingStake · space 18 in · rows 24 in
  • Growth habitUpright/Erect · Annual
  • Best useRoasting, stuffing, chile rellenos, green chile sauce, freezing, and drying red
  • Before sowingNo stratification or scarification; start indoors with sustained bottom warmth, even moisture, and strong light after emergence
Secure checkout Details
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Triple-tested seed qualityRegular quality and germination checks support every packet.

We regularly test seed quality and germination as lots move through storage and packing. We stand behind the seed we send and want customers to contact us when a packet does not perform as reasonably expected.

1-year seed warrantyCoverage begins on the date of purchase.

When properly stored, planted, and cared for, we guarantee reasonable germination and true-to-type growth for one year from the date of purchase. Conditions outside our control—including extreme weather, pests, unsuitable storage, and gardener error—are excluded. Contact us when something is not right so we can review the situation and work toward a replacement, refund, or another fair resolution.

Non-GMO / BE seed policyWe do not buy or sell genetically engineered or bioengineered seed.

Every seed variety we sell is non-GMO.

USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard defines bioengineered foods as containing detectable genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant DNA methods in ways not achievable through conventional breeding or found in nature.

  • Hybrid means parent lines were conventionally crossed; hybrid does not mean GMO.
  • Heirloom and open-pollinated describe how a variety is maintained and reproduced.
  • Organic certification is separate and is shown only when verified for the individual product.

Read how we define heirloom, hybrid, and GMO/BE seed · USDA BE Standard

Packed in Colerain, North CarolinaPrepared in our seed room for gardens across the country.

Seeds are packed and shipped from Colerain, North Carolina. Our packets use forestry-certified paper, and we use recyclable paper mailers where appropriate. AONSK is also a 1% for the Planet partner while continuing to reduce waste in packing and fulfillment.

Seed-starting profileDifficulty, preparation, reliability, and timing Open

Seed success profile

Gardener experience Experienced planning is helpful
Germination difficulty Patience and controlled warmth are important
Preparation before sowing
No stratification or scarification; start indoors with sustained bottom warmth, even moisture, and strong light after emergence
Germination speed
7-14 days
Growing complexity
Warm-season fruiting crop requiring indoor seed starting, steady moisture, airflow, and repeated harvest
Patience and timing
First harvest varies by variety and is measured from transplant under suitable conditions
Is this seed a good match for your experience?
Expected germination
7-14
Germination temperature
75–90 °F
Stratification
None required
Scarification
None required
Pre-soaking
Not required
Light during germination
Strong light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern
Reliable when the seed zone remains warm and evenly moist through the full emergence window
Transplant sensitivity
Transplant after hardening into warm soil; avoid cold nights and root disturbance
Starting method
Cataloged for indoor starting or transplanting; follow the hardening-off guidance.
Best chance of success
For NuMex Big Jim Chile Pepper, hold the root zone near 80–90°F, provide strong light immediately after emergence, and do not transplant into cold soil.
Planning window

Plan around 7-14at75–90 °F. Keep moisture, light, and preparation aligned with the sowing instructions below.

Slow germination is not automatically failed germination.

Maintain the listed temperature, moisture, light, and treatment conditions for the full expected window. Some seed lots emerge gradually rather than all at once.

Looking for an easier starting point? NuMex Heritage 6-4 Pepper SeedsYatsufusa (Japanese Togarashi) Pepper Seeds

1 Beginner-friendly 2 One extra step 3 Some experience helpful 4 Patient growers 5 Advanced propagation

Seed age, storage, sowing depth, moisture, temperature, light, local conditions, and aftercare can affect results. Last reviewed July 2026.

Browse AONSK seed-starting and garden guides

Garden tools

Need a plan for your space?

Open the garden-fit planner or soil calculator only when you need them.

Open garden tools Uses this product’s recorded growing information. Local weather and garden conditions may vary.

About this variety

What to expect from NuMex Big Jim Chile Pepper

A large New Mexican chile for roasting and rellenos, with heat that can vary from plant to plant.

Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record

NuMex Big Jim is the large-podded New Mexican chile released by New Mexico State University in 1975 and widely used for roasting, stuffing, and chile rellenos.

NMSU describes mature green fruit averaging about 7.68 inches long and 1.89 inches wide, with thick flesh, a smooth surface, and a tapered, often hooked tip. Plants average 16 to 26 inches tall. One of the cultivar's defining traits is variable heat from plant to plant, so a single harvest can contain both milder and hotter pods.

How to grow this pepper

Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last spring frost. Sow 1/4 inch deep in a clean seed-starting medium and hold the root zone near 85°F. Under suitable moisture and temperature, emergence is commonly expected in 7 to 14 days. Provide strong light as soon as seedlings emerge. Harden plants gradually and transplant only after frost danger has passed, soil has warmed, and nights are consistently mild. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep moisture consistent without leaving roots waterlogged. Space plants about 18 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart.

Harvest and use

Harvest at the mature green stage for roasting, stuffing, green chile sauce, freezing, or rellenos. Let pods turn red for dried chile products, flakes, or powder. The NMSU 2022 table lists about 6,500 SHU, while older NMSU release summaries reported 500 to 2,000 SHU. NMSU specifically notes that heat can differ among plants and growing conditions.

Seed saving

Save seed only from fully mature fruit that has reached its final ripe color. Choose healthy, true-to-type plants and avoid saving from weak, diseased, or visibly off-type plants. Capsicum annuum varieties can cross through insect activity, so isolate flowering varieties or use blossom bags or pollinator-exclusion cages when varietal purity matters. Remove the seeds, spread them in a thin layer with good airflow away from direct heat and strong sunlight, and dry completely before labeling and storing them cool and dry. Save from multiple true-to-type plants when maintaining a population rather than merely saving a small household sample.

Additional variety overview

NuMex Big Jim is the large-podded New Mexican chile released by New Mexico State University in 1975 and widely used for roasting, stuffing, and chile rellenos. NMSU describes mature green fruit averaging about 7.68 inches long and 1.89 inches wide, with thick flesh, a smooth surface, and a tapered, often hooked tip. Plants average 16 to 26 inches tall. One of the cultivar's defining traits is variable heat from plant to plant, so a single harvest can contain both milder and hotter pods.
View all growing and care factsBotanical identity, timing, climate, soil, spacing, mature size, and crop-specific details

Plant identity

Minimum seed count 50 seeds
Seed product profile Pepper
Scientific name Capsicum annuum L.
Common name Big Jim Chile
Cultivar or variety NuMex Big Jim
Also known as Pepper, Pepper Seeds - Hot Pepper - NuMex Big Jim
Color Red
Life cycle Annual
Botanical family Solanaceae
Reproductive type Open-Pollinated (OP)
Heritage qualifiers Non-GMO
Native to the United States Domesticated Plant
Domestication note Mesoamerica (Mexico–Central America)

Seed success and gardener experience

Gardener experience Experienced planning is helpfulLevel 4 of 5
Germination difficulty Patience and controlled warmth are importantLevel 4 of 5
Preparation before sowing No stratification or scarification; start indoors with sustained bottom warmth, even moisture, and strong light after emergence
Stratification None required
Scarification None required
Pre-soaking Not required
Light during germination Strong light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern Reliable when the seed zone remains warm and evenly moist through the full emergence window
Growing complexity Warm-season fruiting crop requiring indoor seed starting, steady moisture, airflow, and repeated harvest
Transplant sensitivity Transplant after hardening into warm soil; avoid cold nights and root disturbance
First harvest or bloom First harvest varies by variety and is measured from transplant under suitable conditions
Best chance of success For NuMex Big Jim Chile Pepper, hold the root zone near 80–90°F, provide strong light immediately after emergence, and do not transplant into cold soil.

Timing and climate

Germination 7-14
Germination temperature 75–90 °F
Planting season Spring
Bloom season Summer
Frost tolerance Tender
Sunlight Full sun
Water needs Moderate

Site, soil, and space

Soil type Loamy
Preferred soil pH 6.0–6.5
Seed depth 1/4 in
Plant spacing 18 in
Row spacing 24 in
Growth habit Upright/Erect
Support needed Stake
Suitable growing locations In-ground bed, Raised bed, Greenhouse, High Tunnel, Containers, Community garden, Hydroponic, Indoor growing

Crop-specific details

Heat category Hot
Scoville heat units About 6,500 SHU in NMSU's 2022 reference; older release records report 500-2,000 SHU
Fruit size About 7.68 in long and 1.89 in wide
Flavor profile New Mexican green chile type, especially suited to roasting and stuffing; heat is variable.
Garden toolsOpen the garden-fit planner, planting-window questions, or soil calculator only when useful

Uses this product’s recorded growing information. Local weather, soil, and garden conditions may vary.

Garden-fit planning for this variety

Will NuMex Big Jim Chile Pepper fit your garden?

Check warmth, season length, growing space, harvest stage, and intended kitchen use.

Questions for this pepper seed
Seed-starting fit and patience
Recorded product profileExperienced planning is helpfulPatience and controlled warmth are importantRead why
Soil test, pH, drainage, and amendment calculator Have a laboratory soil report? Enter pH, nutrients, texture, bed size, and site observations here. Open soil tools
Recorded soil typeLoamy
Recorded pH range6.0–6.5
Water needsModerate
LightFull sun

Soil Readiness

for Pepper Plants (Capsicum spp.)

Where to get a soil test

Best option: your state’s Cooperative Extension soil testing lab.

Tip: Arid/alkaline regions (e.g., AZ, NM, UT, parts of CA) often use Olsen (bicarbonate) for phosphorus.
Adjusts P (ppm) target & interpretation.
Target 6.2–6.8
Ideal 4–8%
Target 40–60 ppm (Mehlich-3)
Target 150–200 ppm
Ok ≥ 1000 ppm
Ok ≥ 120 ppm
For pH adjustment size
For “shopping list” amounts
Interprets P by extractant; assumes ppm. Results are approximate.
Enter at least one value above, then Calculate.

Full growing record

Open only the section you need

How to start NuMex Big Jim Chile Pepper from seedPreparation, timing, depth, germination, transplanting, spacing, and early care

Recorded germination plan

Expected germination
7-14
Germination temperature
75–90 °F

Complete sowing and planting guidance

Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last spring frost. Sow 1/4 inch deep in a clean seed-starting medium and hold the root zone near 85°F. Under suitable moisture and temperature, emergence is commonly expected in 7 to 14 days. Provide strong light as soon as seedlings emerge. Harden plants gradually and transplant only after frost danger has passed, soil has warmed, and nights are consistently mild. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep moisture consistent without leaving roots waterlogged. Space plants about 18 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart.
How to grow this specific varietyLight, water, fertility, support, spacing, airflow, crop behavior, and season-long care

Variety-specific growing notes

Expect meaningful heat variation among plants. Keep moisture even during flowering and pod fill, and support the branches before large fruit begin to pull them down.

Complete growing guide

Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last spring frost. Sow 1/4 inch deep in a clean seed-starting medium and hold the root zone near 85°F. Under suitable moisture and temperature, emergence is commonly expected in 7 to 14 days. Provide strong light as soon as seedlings emerge. Harden plants gradually and transplant only after frost danger has passed, soil has warmed, and nights are consistently mild. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep moisture consistent without leaving roots waterlogged. Space plants about 18 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart.

Practical field and garden tips

Cut or twist mature pods carefully so the branch does not split. Harvest green when full-sized and firm, or wait for red maturity for drying and seed saving.
Harvest, storage, uses, and benefitsWhen and how to harvest, ways to use the crop, storage, culinary value, habitat value, and garden roles

Harvest and use notes

Harvest green for roasting or wait for red maturity for drying and seed saving. Choose true-to-type plants with the pod form you intend to maintain, and prevent crossing with other Capsicum annuum varieties when purity matters.

Uses and benefits

Use mature green pods for roasting, stuffing, rellenos, green chile sauce, and freezing. Mature red pods can be dried or ground.
Seed saving and carrying the variety forwardPollination, isolation, selection, harvest, cleaning, drying, and storage
Save seed only from fully mature fruit that has reached its final ripe color. Choose healthy, true-to-type plants and avoid saving from weak, diseased, or visibly off-type plants. Capsicum annuum varieties can cross through insect activity, so isolate flowering varieties or use blossom bags or pollinator-exclusion cages when varietal purity matters. Remove the seeds, spread them in a thin layer with good airflow away from direct heat and strong sunlight, and dry completely before labeling and storing them cool and dry. Save from multiple true-to-type plants when maintaining a population rather than merely saving a small household sample.
Problems and answersPests, diseases, troubleshooting, practical response, and product-specific questions

Variety troubleshooting summary

Watch for aphids, flea beetles, thrips, whiteflies, spider mites, and caterpillars. Common disease risks include bacterial leaf spot, Phytophthora root and crown rot, and virus complexes. Use clean transplants, avoid working wet foliage, rotate away from solanaceous crops when disease has been severe, maintain airflow, and remove badly affected plant material. Blossom-end rot is a calcium-transport disorder usually worsened by uneven watering rather than a simple lack of calcium in the soil. Sunscald is more likely when fruit lose leaf cover.

Heavy pods can split unsupported branches. Set stakes or cages before the fruit load becomes difficult to manage.

Complete pest and problem guide

Watch for aphids, flea beetles, thrips, whiteflies, spider mites, and caterpillars. Common disease risks include bacterial leaf spot, Phytophthora root and crown rot, and virus complexes. Use clean transplants, avoid working wet foliage, rotate away from solanaceous crops when disease has been severe, maintain airflow, and remove badly affected plant material. Blossom-end rot is a calcium-transport disorder usually worsened by uneven watering rather than a simple lack of calcium in the soil. Sunscald is more likely when fruit lose leaf cover.

Questions gardeners ask

How hot is it?
NMSU references differ by revision. The 2022 table lists about 6,500 SHU, older release summaries list 500-2,000 SHU, and the cultivar is known for plant-to-plant variation.

When should I expect a harvest?
NMSU home-garden guidance lists about 80 days, but a red-ripe harvest takes longer than a mature green harvest.

Why are some pods hotter than others?
Plant genetics, temperature, moisture, and other stresses can all influence pungency. NuMex Big Jim is specifically documented as variable from plant to plant.

Can I save seed?
Yes, when the seed stock is open-pollinated. Allow fruit to reach full ripe color, prevent unwanted crossing when purity matters, dry the seed thoroughly, and label the harvest by variety and year.
History, provenance, and cultural contextWhat is documented, what is reported, what remains uncertain, and how the variety reached gardeners

Scientific name: Capsicum annuum L.

Common name: Big Jim Chile

Cultivar or variety: NuMex Big Jim

Provenance summary

NMSU-bred New Mexican-type chile released in 1975. Fruit dimensions, plant height, use, and variable heat are documented by NMSU.

Plant and variety history

Released in 1975 by NMSU breeder Dr. Roy Nakayama. NMSU records describe it as a large New Mexican-type chile selected for home, culinary, and processing use.

Source and record notes

https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR706/index.html
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/research/horticulture/RR792/index.html
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H240/index.html
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR457B_SP/index.html
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/capsicum-annuum/
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316944-2/general-information
https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/grow-your-own-transplants-at-home
https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/peppers-in-the-garden
https://seedalliance.org/publications/sweet-pepper-breeding-and-seed-saving-guide/
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/saving-vegetable-seeds

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Customer experience

Reviews for NuMex Big Jim Chile Pepper

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
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M
Mona (United States)

So far so good - near 100% germination rate

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