Botanical Interests
Shishito Chile Pepper Seeds
Shishito Chile Pepper Seeds
Free shipping on orders over $79
Couldn't load pickup availability
Product Details
Product Details
The 'Shishito' is finding its way into many restaurants as a popular appetizer. The 2"–4" slender peppers have a citrusy, slightly smoky flavor enhanced by grilling or sautéing, and can be the life of the party when an occasional hot one passes the mouth of the unsuspecting. Highly productive plants. 50–200 Scoville heat units (mild).
Your hardiness zone is
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 60–75 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Type: Under 1000 Scoville Units, Chile Pepper (Learn more)
Native: Americas
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive perennial grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 24"–36" tall
Variety Info: 2"–4" long, thin, medium green, slightly wrinkled, some curved. Flavor is citrusy and slightly smoky. About 90 percent of shishitos will be mild, but the others will be slightly hot. Scoville heat units for 'Shishito' are 50–200, making the occasional hot pepper quite mild.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: For Mild Climates only: 2 to 4 weeks after average last frost, when soil temperature is at least 70°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°–90°F. Transplant seedlings outside 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when daytime temperatures are at least 70°F, and nighttime temperatures are at least 55°F. Mild Climates: May be sown in late summer for fall/winter crop.
Days to Emerge: 10–25 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: Start indoors
Row Spacing: 24"–36"
Thinning: Start indoors, plant seedlings 18"–24" apart outside
Growing Info
Harvesting: Generally harvested when green, at 2"–4" long, but can also be left on the plant to mature to red. When harvesting, take care to avoid touching the interior of any broken peppers, as the capsaicin is an extreme irritant, especially to the eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after harvesting or wear gloves to harvest peppers.
- Alex G.CA, United StatesVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsSep 22, 2025Show stoppers - a must for grillers
These are a must grow- such a fun treat! We’re growing in zone 10a in containers, started in epic 6 cells on a mat in the kitchen and eventually moved up through the ranks to container bags. These have been such easy keepers and so prolific! We’ve harvested a bunch green but eventually started leaving them on longer to get some red variety as well. They’re great tossed in olive oil, grilled briefly, and topped with coarse salt or bonito flakes!
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? ContainerEGEpic GardeningSep 22, 2025Hey Alex G.,
What a fantastic review! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that your Shishito Chile Peppers have become such show stoppers and are delivering that perfect grilling experience!
Your growing journey sounds like it went perfectly - from those epic 6 cells on the kitchen mat all the way up to container bags in zone 10a! It's so satisfying when a plant transitions smoothly through each stage and really takes off in its final home. And what a smart approach to harvest both green and red varieties - that gives you such a nice range of flavors and heat levels to work with!
There's something so special about Shishitos for grilling, isn't there? That quick toss in olive oil, a brief kiss from the grill, and a sprinkle of coarse salt or bonito flakes - you've nailed the perfect preparation! They're such a fun treat because you never quite know if you'll get that one spicy surprise pepper in the bunch.
We love that you've found them to be such easy keepers and so prolific too! Container growing can sometimes be tricky with peppers, but it sounds like these Shishitos have really found their groove and are showing their appreciation with that generous harvest.
Your experience really highlights why these peppers are such a must-grow for anyone who loves grilling and entertaining!
Thank you so much for sharing such an enthusiastic review about both the growing experience and culinary results!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Rob D.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsNov 29, 20245 Stars
Zone 5b. The Shishito Pepper plants were started indoors and transplanted into a vertical planter. They grew well and provided peppers all season long.
- Kelly R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsJun 4, 20245 Stars
Botanical interest is the only place I will buy my seeds from for now on. I discovered them watching Epic Gardening and epic homesteading Kevin and Jacques. I have tried to grow things from seed in the past and can never get past the two week mark. And as you can see from this picture, I will have peppers soon this is due to the prolific seeds and skills I learned from watching Epic Gardening. Thank you.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Jeremy K.Rated 4 out of 5 starsAug 8, 20234 Stars
This has grown really well in my container garden. I love the crisp, vegetal flavor of a shishito. :>
- KiaraRated 5 out of 5 starsMar 9, 20255 Stars
These guys germinated indoors in just 5 days. That's crazy for a pepper!
