How to Grow Chiltepin: Arizona’s Native Wild Pepper

By: Angela Judd | June 23, 2025

If you’re gardening in the low desert and want to add a little heat and history to your garden, chiltepin is an excellent choice. Sometimes called the “mother of all peppers,” this tiny wild chile is native to the Sonoran Desert. Chiltepin thrives in desert conditions, especially when its natural habitat is replicated in the garden.

I planted two chiltepin plants during the 2022 monsoon season, and they’re still alive and happily producing in my garden. Here’s what I’ve learned about growing chiltepin, along with tips for harvesting and enjoying this legendary little pepper.

Green plant with small, round red berries and elongated leaves growing in soil; learn how to grow Chiltepin for a vibrant, fruitful garden.

What is Chiltepin?

Chiltepin (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) is a tiny, round wild pepper that grows naturally in the Sonoran Desert. It is a wild relative and likely ancestor of modern domesticated peppers.

In the wild, chiltepin grows under the shade of “nurse plants” such as mesquite, ironwood, and desert hackberry. These taller plants offer filtered shade, mulch, and protection from extreme temperatures. Birds eat the ripe red berries and disperse the seeds, helping to plant the next round of plants.

Chiltepin is a perennial shrub that can live for many years in frost-free conditions, growing 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. In low desert climates (Zones 9b to 10a), it can live year-round. Even if frost damages the plant, the roots will regrow in the spring. Learn about more perennial crops for hot climates in this guide.

Wild-harvested chiltepin is a significant seasonal crop in Sonora and remains a popular ingredient in traditional cuisines across northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Although small, it’s hot! Chiltepin ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making it several times hotter than a jalapeño. The heat hits quickly but fades fast. Once dried, the flavor becomes smoky and earthy.

If you love mild peppers too, you might enjoy learning how to grow poblano peppers.

Starting Chiltepin from Seed

Start seeds indoors about 8 weeks before planting outside. Seeds are available from sources like Native Seeds/SEARCH. Chiltepin seeds germinate more slowly than other peppers, but using a heat mat helped speed up the process for me. Once sprouted, the seedlings grew quickly.

Three photos show how to grow chiltepin: seedlings indoors, transplanting, and a seedling thriving in a garden bed.

If you’re new to seed starting, these seed-starting tips may be helpful.

When and Where to Plant

Transplant outside in spring (mid-February to April) after frost, or during monsoon season (late July to September) when humidity helps plants get established. I planted mine in a raised bed in late July, with afternoon shade provided by nearby plants.

The plants quickly overtook the bed. I didn’t expect them to grow so large. After a year, I moved them to in-ground spots on the west-facing side of my yard. One now grows beside a fig tree. Both receive dappled shade and have room to spread. In the wild, filtered light under trees is ideal, and that’s what I tried to recreate.

Two images showing lush green purslane plants growing in a garden with other vegetation and soil, similar to environments suitable for those learning how to grow chiltepin peppers. — Chiltepin in the shade of a fig tree and chiltepin sprawling in a raised bed garden.

For more help choosing planting times, check out my Arizona vegetable planting guide.

Soil and Spacing

Chiltepin prefers well-drained, compost-rich soil. Amend the native soil with compost or aged manure to mimic the natural leaf litter in which it grows. Sandy or loamy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (7 to 7.5) works well. In containers, drainage is essential.

If you’re preparing a new garden bed, this post on the best soil for raised bed gardening may be helpful.

In-ground spacing: 3 to 5 feet apart.
Raised beds: One chiltepin can fill a 3×3 space. (Two plants took over a 4×8 bed in my garden.)

Green plant with small, round red and orange berries growing among slender leaves—learn how to grow chiltepin for a vibrant addition to your garden.

For general pepper growing tips, see How to Grow Peppers: 10 Tips for Growing Peppers.

Watering and Care

Once established, chiltepin is drought-tolerant. In the ground, I water mine once or twice a week in summer and much less in cooler months. In raised beds or containers, water when the top inch of soil is dry.

Avoid overwatering. Deep, infrequent watering is best. Adding a thick layer of mulch helps retain moisture.

These plants grow large and sprawling. I prune mine in spring and fall to control their size. If your peppers overwinter outdoors, learn how and when to prune peppers in mild-winter climates, or read how to prune tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants after winter.

Two images showing a plant before and after severe trimming, surrounded by dry leaves and soil—perfect for illustrating pruning steps in guides on How to Grow Chiltepin. — Frost-damaged chiltepin and then chiltepin after being cut back in spring.

Companion Planting

In Arizona, the best companion for chiltepin is shade. Nurse plants, such as mesquite, ironwood, or even a fig tree, can create a suitable environment. Tuck chiltepin under taller plants to mimic its wild growing conditions and improve success.

Learn more about companion planting and how it helps your garden thrive.

Harvesting Chiltepin

The plants take around 120 days to fruit. Chiltepins ripen from green to bright red, typically during the summer through fall. I harvest them when they turn fully red and snap off easily. If left on the plant, they often dry in place and can still be picked later.

The plants are prolific. I use this berry picker to speed up the harvesting process. Birds love them too, and I don’t mind sharing.

Close-up of tiny red and orange peppers on a plant and in a person’s hand with a harvesting tool, illustrating how to grow chiltepin peppers.

If you’re interested in growing other types of chiles, check out 16 Types of Peppers: Pepper Varieties to Grow.

Preserving and Using Chiltepin

Here are a few simple ways to enjoy and store your chiltepin harvest:

Drying: Lay ripe chiltepins in a single layer in a warm, shaded spot. Once dry, store whole or crushed in airtight containers.
Pickling: Pack chiltepins into a jar with garlic, herbs, and vinegar for a spicy, tangy condiment.
Culinary uses: I like to crush dried chiltepins into salsas, beans, and meat dishes. A little goes a long way. Always wear gloves when handling and use sparingly if you’re not used to the heat.

Looking for more ideas on preserving? Browse preserving your harvest posts for recipes and inspiration.

What I’ve Learned Growing Chiltepin

Growing chiltepin has become one of my favorite gardening experiments. It’s beautiful, productive, and deeply connected to the history and ecology of the desert Southwest. With some shade and care, chiltepin thrives in Arizona gardens, rewarding you with fiery flavor throughout the year.

If you’re looking to add chiltepin to your garden, be patient with the seeds, give them space to grow, and enjoy harvesting one of the most legendary peppers in the Southwest.