How to Grow Pasilla Pepper
Pasilla Pepper
Capsicum annuum
vegetablePasilla peppers are a dark brown to nearly black Mexican chili pepper with a mild to medium heat level and rich, complex flavor. These elongated peppers are popular in Mexican cuisine and are often dried for use in moles and other traditional dishes. The plants are productive and relatively easy to grow, making them suitable for both home and commercial gardeners.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Pasilla Pepper in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Pasilla Pepper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Pasilla Pepper
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Pasilla Pepper
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pasilla Pepper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; can be grown in zones 8-9a as annuals with season extension
Sign up free to see if Pasilla Pepper grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Pasilla Pepper timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate stems and developing root systems
Maintain warm temperatures (75-85°F), provide 14-16 hours of grow light daily, keep soil consistently moist, maintain humidity around 60-70%
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlants develop bushy foliage with multiple branches, no flowers yet; reaching 6-12 inches tall
Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors, plant after last frost when soil is warm (60°F+), maintain consistent watering, apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers appear at branch nodes; plants continue growing taller and bushier
Ensure full sun exposure, maintain warm temperatures (70-85°F), reduce nitrogen and increase phosphorus/potassium fertilizer to support flower development, keep soil evenly moist
Fruiting
4-6 weeks per fruit cycleGreen peppers develop and mature; color gradually transitions to dark brown/black as peppers ripen
Support heavy fruit branches with stakes or cages, maintain consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot, continue feeding with balanced or fruit-promoting fertilizer every 2 weeks
Harvest/Maturity
Ongoing until frostPeppers reach full dark brown to black color, skin becomes wrinkled and thin, flesh thickens, flavor becomes complex and rich
Harvest when fully mature for best flavor and heat development, can be harvested green if needed, use sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging branches, continue harvesting to encourage more production
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, release ladybugs or lacewings as biological control
-
Increase humidity by misting plants, spray with water regularly, use neem oil or sulfur dust, introduce predatory mites
-
Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, release parasitic wasps, remove heavily infested leaves
-
Remove and destroy infested fruit, use pheromone traps, apply insecticide at early signs, rotate crops yearly
-
Maintain consistent soil moisture, mulch to regulate moisture, apply calcium, avoid over-watering
Uses
Mole & Mexican cuisine
CulinaryDried pasilla peppers are a cornerstone ingredient in traditional Mexican mole sauce, providing deep, chocolatey, and fruity flavors. They are also used in salsas, enchilada sauces, and as a seasoning for various Mexican dishes. [source]
Fresh pepper cooking
CulinaryFresh green or mature dark peppers can be roasted, stuffed, sliced for salsas, or used in stir-fries. The mature dark peppers develop a complex, slightly smoky flavor distinct from other pepper varieties. [source]
Pepper drying & preservation
HouseholdPasilla peppers dry exceptionally well and store for extended periods when kept in a cool, dry place. Dried peppers can be rehydrated for cooking or ground into powder for long-term pantry storage. [source]
Capsaicin for health
CulinaryLike all peppers, pasillas contain capsaicin, a compound studied for potential anti-inflammatory and metabolism-boosting properties. Fresh or dried peppers can be incorporated into health-conscious cooking. [source]
Ornamental & decorative
CraftThe striking dark brown to black mature peppers on green foliage create attractive ornamental displays. Dried peppers are popular in southwestern and Mexican-themed decorative arrangements. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pasilla peppers are traditionally harvested when fully mature and dark brown to black in color (90-120 days from transplant). Mature peppers have the best flavor and heat level. Use sharp pruning shears or a knife to cut peppers from the plant to avoid damaging branches. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production throughout the growing season. For drying, allow peppers to fully mature on the plant, then dry in a warm, well-ventilated area or dehydrator at 140-160°F until completely dried and brittle (2-4 weeks).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'pasilla' comes from the Spanish word 'pasita,' meaning 'small raisin,' referring to the wrinkled appearance of dried pasilla peppers.
- 🌱 Pasilla peppers are often confused with ancho peppers (dried poblano peppers), but they are botanically distinct varieties with different heat levels and flavor profiles.
- 🌱 In Mexico, pasilla peppers have been cultivated for centuries and are considered essential ingredients in authentic regional cooking, particularly in Oaxaca and other southern Mexican states.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Pasilla Pepper planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Pasilla Pepper seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Pasilla Pepper timeline →