Welcome to our store. Learn more

Free U.S. seed shipping $25+. Seeds ship free at the threshold.

Current Processing Times Before Shipping Are 1-2 Business Days

25% OFF Heirloom seed packets are $1.50, regularly $2.00. Seed packets only · sale price already applied · carries into checkout · coupon codes do not combine. Shop the sale →
1 2

Orange Spice Jalapeño Pepper Seeds

Scientific name Capsicum annuum L.

About this variety

NuMex Orange Spice is an NMSU-bred jalapeño selected for a distinct bright orange mature color and a substantially hotter profile than a typical mild jalapeño.NuMex Orange Spice belongs to a three-cultivar group developed from a 1995 cross between Permagreen bell pepper and Early Jalapeño and released by NMSU in 2015. NMSU found its pods significantly longer than Early...

Continue with the complete description
Read customer reviews
Alliance of Native Seedkeepers  |  SKU: HPP28
$150 USD $200
25% OFF
Heirloom seed packet sale

$1.50, regularly $2.00. The sale price is already applied and carries into checkout. No code is needed. Coupon codes do not combine with this offer.

At a glance

The facts most gardeners need first

View the full variety record
25 minimum seeds per packet
  • Germination7-14 days · 75–90 °F
  • SunFull sun
  • Support & spacingNo-Support · space 18 in · rows 24 in
  • Growth habitUpright/Erect · Annual
  • Best useFresh hot jalapeño use, pickling, salsa, roasting, and color-diverse harvests
  • Before sowingStart in a clean, warm, evenly moist seed-starting mix and provide strong light immediately after emergence
Secure checkout Details
Generic
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 Some experience is helpful
Germination difficulty Moderate or temperature-sensitive
Preparation before sowing
Start in a clean, warm, evenly moist seed-starting mix and provide strong light immediately after emergence
Germination speed
7-14 days
Growing complexity
Warm-season crop requiring early seed starting in many regions, warmth, and attention to fruit load
Patience and timing
70-79 Days
Is this seed a good match for your experience?
Expected germination
7-14
Germination temperature
75–90 °F
Stratification
Not normally required by the current record
Scarification
Not normally required by the current record
Pre-soaking
Not normally required by the current record
Light during germination
Cover to the recorded depth; provide strong light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern
Reliability depends strongly on correct preparation, temperature, moisture, and patience through the full emergence window
Transplant sensitivity
Transplant after slow hardening; cold conditions can stall growth
Starting method
Cataloged for indoor starting or transplanting; follow the hardening-off guidance.
Best chance of success
For Orange Spice Jalapeño Pepper Seeds, control temperature and moisture at sowing, label the start date, and compare emergence with the complete recorded germination window before reseeding.
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.

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 Orange Spice Jalapeño Pepper Seeds

A bright orange NMSU jalapeño with 79,000-80,000 SHU average reported heat.

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

NuMex Orange Spice is an NMSU-bred jalapeño selected for a distinct bright orange mature color and a substantially hotter profile than a typical mild jalapeño.

NuMex Orange Spice belongs to a three-cultivar group developed from a 1995 cross between Permagreen bell pepper and Early Jalapeño and released by NMSU in 2015. NMSU found its pods significantly longer than Early Jalapeño and noted epidermal reticulation, commonly called corking. The cultivar remains a Capsicum annuum jalapeño type; the color name should not be read as a flavor claim.

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 green for the familiar immature jalapeño stage or leave pods on the plant until they mature bright orange. NMSU reports 79,000-80,000 SHU as an average reference value. Actual pungency can shift with genetics, weather, water stress, and location. Use fresh, pickled, roasted, or in salsa wherever a hot jalapeño is appropriate.

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 Orange Spice is an NMSU-bred jalapeño selected for a distinct bright orange mature color and a substantially hotter profile than a typical mild jalapeño. NuMex Orange Spice belongs to a three-cultivar group developed from a 1995 cross between Permagreen bell pepper and Early Jalapeño and released by NMSU in 2015. NMSU found its pods significantly longer than Early Jalapeño and noted epidermal reticulation, commonly called corking. The cultivar remains a Capsicum annuum jalapeño type; the color name should not be read as a flavor claim.
View all growing and care factsBotanical identity, timing, climate, soil, spacing, mature size, and crop-specific details

Plant identity

Minimum seed count 25 seeds
Seed product profile Pepper
Scientific name Capsicum annuum L.
Common name Orange Jalapeño
Cultivar or variety Orange Spice Jalapeño
Also known as Pepper, Pepper Seeds - Hot - Orange Spice Jalapeño
Color Orange
Life cycle Annual
Botanical family Solanaceae
Reproductive type Open-Pollinated (OP)
Heritage qualifiers Heirloom
Native to the United States Domesticated Plant
Domestication note Mesoamerica (Mexico–Central America)

Seed success and gardener experience

Gardener experience Some experience is helpfulLevel 3 of 5
Germination difficulty Moderate or temperature-sensitiveLevel 3 of 5
Preparation before sowing Start in a clean, warm, evenly moist seed-starting mix and provide strong light immediately after emergence
Stratification Not normally required by the current record
Scarification Not normally required by the current record
Pre-soaking Not normally required by the current record
Light during germination Cover to the recorded depth; provide strong light immediately after emergence
Germination pattern Reliability depends strongly on correct preparation, temperature, moisture, and patience through the full emergence window
Growing complexity Warm-season crop requiring early seed starting in many regions, warmth, and attention to fruit load
Transplant sensitivity Transplant after slow hardening; cold conditions can stall growth
First harvest or bloom 70-79 Days
Best chance of success For Orange Spice Jalapeño Pepper Seeds, control temperature and moisture at sowing, label the start date, and compare emergence with the complete recorded germination window before reseeding.

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 No-Support
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 79,000-80,000 SHU
Flavor profile Jalapeño-type flavor. NMSU release records quantify color, pod traits, and heat, not a distinct orange or citrus flavor.
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 Orange Spice Jalapeño Pepper Seeds 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 profileSome experience is helpfulModerate or temperature-sensitiveRead 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 Orange Spice Jalapeño Pepper Seeds 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

The NMSU release summary focuses on mature color, pod dimensions relative to Early Jalapeño, corking, and heat. It does not provide a cultivar-specific plant-height or days-to-harvest value.

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

Pick green for the immature jalapeño stage. Leave pods on the plant for the named mature color and fully mature seed.
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 immature jalapeño use or wait for the final bright orange stage. Save seed only from fully mature, true-to-type fruit and prevent crossing with other Capsicum annuum varieties when purity matters.

Uses and benefits

Use green or mature-colored pods fresh, pickled, roasted, or in salsa. Treat the cultivar as a hot jalapeño and handle cut fruit accordingly.
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.

High heat levels can increase handling risk. Wear gloves when processing many ripe pods and avoid touching the eyes or face.

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 reports 79,000-80,000 SHU. This is an average reference, not a guarantee for every pod or growing season.

When should I expect a harvest?
Cultivar-specific days to harvest are not stated in the NMSU release summary. Harvest timing varies by transplant age, weather, and color stage.

Does NuMex Orange Spice taste like its color name?
Jalapeño-type flavor. NMSU release records quantify color, pod traits, and heat, not a distinct orange or citrus flavor.

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: Orange Jalapeño

Cultivar or variety: Orange Spice Jalapeño

Provenance summary

NMSU-bred jalapeño released in 2015. Mature color, pod traits, pedigree, corking, and reported heat are taken from NMSU release records.

Plant and variety history

Released by New Mexico State University in 2015. NuMex Orange Spice originated from a 1995 cross between Permagreen bell pepper and Early Jalapeño.

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://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

Continue planning

Related seeds, collections, and growing guides

Explore the full collection
Hot Pepper SeedsExplore the full collection →
Orange Habanero Hot Pepper

Orange Habanero Hot Pepper

Orange Habanero Hot Pepper: floral, tropical, and citrus-like before an intense habanero burn. Best for hot sauce and jerk-style seasoning.

Early Jalapeño Hot Pepper

Early Jalapeño Hot Pepper

Early Jalapeño Hot Pepper: fresh jalapeño flavor with moderate heat and a full, juicy wall. Best for salsa and stuffing.

Helpful growing guides for this variety

Customer experience

Reviews for Orange Spice Jalapeño Pepper Seeds

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
100%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
G
Gary Thompson (United States)

for 2027

Keep planning

Build the rest of your garden.

Compare related varieties, add practical supplies, or browse dependable value picks.

Grow alongside itPollinator companionsBrowse flowers and plants that support a lively garden. Complete the setupGarden suppliesFind labels, tools, and practical seed-starting goods.Compare choicesCompare Heirloom Pepper Seeds - Hot, Sweet, and Everything BetweenSee this product alongside the closest related choices.Budget-friendly picksShop the On Sale collectionSee current values without being sent to a sign-in screen.