Chilli Anaheim Vegetable Seeds
Grow long, mild Anaheim chillies at home for roasting, stuffing, grilling, sauces and fresh Mexican-style cooking. Anaheim Chilli (Capsicum annuum) is a classic New Mexican-type chilli producing long, tapered green fruit that ripens to red.
Anaheim is valued for its relatively mild heat, versatile flavour and long fruit. The chillies are commonly harvested while green for roasting and fresh cooking, or allowed to ripen fully to red for a sweeter, more mature chilli flavour.
Well suited to Australia’s warm growing conditions, Anaheim Chilli can be grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds and large containers. Its combination of mild heat and useful fruit size makes it an excellent chilli for cooks who want flavour without the intense heat of hotter varieties.
Anaheim Chilli Seed Details
| Botanical name | Capsicum annuum |
|---|---|
| Variety | Anaheim |
| Seed type | Open-pollinated |
| Plant type | Warm-season, frost-tender chilli |
| Plant height | Approximately 60–90 cm |
| Fruit colour | Green, ripening to red |
| Fruit shape | Long, tapered New Mexican-type chilli |
| Fruit length | Approximately 15–20 cm |
| Heat level | Mild – typically around 500–2,500 SHU |
| Position | Full sun |
| Sowing depth | Approximately 5–10 mm |
| Plant spacing | Approximately 30–45 cm |
| Harvest | Approximately 70–90 days, depending on growing conditions and desired ripeness |
Why Grow Anaheim Chilli?
- Produces long, fleshy green chillies that ripen to red.
- Relatively mild heat makes Anaheim versatile for everyday cooking.
- Excellent for roasting, grilling, stuffing and Mexican-style dishes.
- Fruit can be harvested at the mature green stage or allowed to ripen fully to red.
- Classic New Mexican-type chilli with a long culinary history.
- Suitable for vegetable gardens, raised beds and large containers.
- Ripe red fruit can be used fresh or dried for later use.
- Regular harvesting can encourage continued flowering and fruit production.
How to Grow Anaheim Chilli from Seed
Anaheim Chilli is a warm-season crop that performs best with plenty of sun, warmth and a long growing season. Chilli seeds germinate most reliably in warm conditions, so gardeners in cooler areas can start seeds indoors before outdoor temperatures are suitable.
- Choose a warm, sunny position.
Select a location receiving full sun. Chillies require warmth and good light for strong growth, flowering and fruit production. - Prepare fertile, free-draining soil.
Anaheim Chilli performs best in fertile, well-drained soil. Incorporate compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting where required. - Sow the chilli seeds.
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep into seedling trays, cells or small pots filled with a quality seed-raising mix. Cover lightly and water gently. - Keep the seeds warm.
Chilli seeds require warm conditions for reliable germination. Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged while seedlings establish. - Transplant once conditions are warm.
Transplant established seedlings outdoors after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed. Harden seedlings gradually before planting them into their permanent position. - Space plants correctly.
Allow approximately 30–45 cm between plants to provide adequate room for growth, airflow and fruit development. - Water consistently.
Maintain reasonably even soil moisture, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Avoid allowing plants to repeatedly dry out completely between watering. - Harvest green or red.
Pick mature green fruit for roasting and fresh cooking, or leave selected chillies on the plant until they develop their mature red colour.
When to Plant Anaheim Chilli Seeds in Australia
Anaheim Chilli prefers warm growing conditions and is sensitive to frost. The best sowing period depends on local climate, with gardeners in cooler regions generally starting seed indoors before outdoor conditions become warm enough for planting.
| Climate | General Sowing Guide |
|---|---|
| Tropical | Can be grown through much of the year; avoid periods of extreme heat, prolonged heavy rain or other unsuitable conditions |
| Subtropical | Spring through the warmer months; a longer growing period is possible in frost-free locations |
| Temperate | Start indoors in late winter to early spring with additional warmth; transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed |
| Cool / frost-prone | Start seeds indoors with warmth and transplant after the final frost once outdoor conditions are consistently warm |
For best results, consider local temperatures and frost risk rather than relying on the calendar alone. Chillies establish and grow much more vigorously once both soil and air temperatures are consistently warm.
What Is Anaheim Chilli?
Anaheim is a cultivar of the New Mexican chilli pod type. New Mexican-type chillies were developed from breeding work at what is now New Mexico State University, beginning in the late nineteenth century.
Anaheim seed originated in New Mexico and was later taken to Anaheim, California, where the cultivar became widely grown and acquired its familiar name.
Although New Mexican-type chillies are sometimes collectively called Anaheim chillies, Anaheim is more accurately regarded as a particular cultivar within the broader New Mexican pod type.
The long fruit, mild heat and versatility of Anaheim have made it a popular chilli for roasting, stuffing and fresh cooking.
How Hot Is Anaheim Chilli?
Anaheim is generally considered a mild chilli, typically associated with approximately 500–2,500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
Actual heat can vary according to plant genetics, temperature, growing conditions, fruit maturity and environmental stress. Individual chillies may therefore taste milder or hotter than expected.
Anaheim is considerably milder than hot chilli varieties such as Cayenne or Thai Hot, making it useful where chilli flavour and a gentle level of heat are preferred.
Its relatively mild character also makes Anaheim particularly suitable for recipes that use whole or large pieces of chilli.
Harvesting Anaheim Chillies
Anaheim chillies can be harvested at the mature green stage or left on the plant until they ripen fully to red.
Green Anaheim chillies: Harvest once the fruit has reached a good size and developed firm walls. Green fruit is particularly suitable for roasting, grilling, stuffing, sauces and fresh cooking.
Red Anaheim chillies: Leave selected fruit on the plant until it develops its mature red colour. Fully ripe fruit develops a more mature flavour and can be used fresh or dried.
Under suitable growing conditions, harvest can generally begin at approximately 70–90 days, although actual timing varies with temperature, plant establishment and desired ripeness.
Use clean secateurs or carefully cut mature fruit from the plant to avoid damaging stems and branches.
Regular harvesting can help keep plants actively flowering and producing additional fruit while growing conditions remain favourable.
Why Are Anaheim Chillies Good for Roasting?
Anaheim chillies are particularly well suited to roasting because their long fruit and fleshy walls respond well to high heat.
Roasting or grilling the fruit until the outer skin blisters develops its flavour and allows the skin to be peeled away. The roasted flesh can then be used in sauces, salsas, fillings and a wide range of Mexican and Southwestern-style dishes.
Anaheim’s relatively mild heat also allows the whole chilli to be used generously without producing the intense pungency associated with hotter varieties.
How to Use Anaheim Chillies
Anaheim is an extremely versatile culinary chilli suited to recipes where mild heat and the flavour of roasted or fresh chilli are desired.
- Roasting: Roast or grill mature green fruit until the skin blisters, then peel for use in cooked dishes.
- Stuffing: Long fruit can be filled and baked or used for chilli relleno-style dishes.
- Salsas: Chop fresh or roasted Anaheim chillies into homemade salsa.
- Sauces: Use green or ripe red fruit in chilli sauces and Mexican-style sauces.
- Grilling: Whole or sliced fruit can be grilled as a vegetable or incorporated into other dishes.
- Fresh cooking: Slice into tacos, casseroles, egg dishes, soups and other savoury recipes.
- Drying: Fully ripe red chillies can be dried and later used whole, crushed or ground.
Growing Anaheim Chilli in Pots
Anaheim Chilli can be grown successfully in containers provided plants receive sufficient root space, sunlight, nutrients and water.
Choose a reasonably large container with excellent drainage and fill it with a fertile, free-draining growing medium. Position the pot in full sun.
Container-grown chillies can dry out considerably faster than plants growing in garden soil, particularly during hot weather and while fruit is developing. Check moisture levels regularly and water when required without leaving the growing medium permanently waterlogged.
Plants carrying a heavy crop may benefit from staking or other support to prevent branches from bending or breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anaheim Chilli?
Anaheim is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum belonging to the New Mexican pod type. It produces long green chillies that ripen to red and is particularly valued for roasting, stuffing and Mexican-style cooking.
Where did Anaheim Chilli originate?
Anaheim seed originated in New Mexico and was later taken to Anaheim, California, where it became widely cultivated. The cultivar belongs to the New Mexican pod type developed from early chilli breeding work in New Mexico.
How hot is Anaheim Chilli?
Anaheim is generally a mild chilli, typically around 500–2,500 Scoville Heat Units. Heat can vary according to genetics, growing conditions, environmental stress and fruit maturity.
How big do Anaheim chillies grow?
Fruit commonly reaches approximately 15–20 cm long, although final size varies according to growing conditions and plant health.
What colour are Anaheim chillies?
Anaheim fruit develops green and can be harvested at the mature green stage or left on the plant until it ripens fully to red.
Is Anaheim the same as Hatch Chilli?
Not exactly. Anaheim is a particular cultivar within the New Mexican pod type. The term “Hatch chilli” is commonly associated with New Mexican-type chillies grown in the Hatch region of New Mexico and does not identify Anaheim as an identical cultivar.
Is Anaheim the same as Big Jim?
No. Anaheim and Big Jim are both New Mexican-type chillies, but they are distinct cultivars. Big Jim was developed later at New Mexico State University and is particularly noted for its exceptionally large fruit.
Are Anaheim chillies good for roasting?
Yes. Roasting is one of the most popular uses for Anaheim chillies. Their long fruit and fleshy walls make them well suited to blistering, peeling and using in sauces, fillings and other cooked dishes.
Can Anaheim chillies be stuffed?
Yes. Their long shape and relatively mild heat make Anaheim chillies well suited to stuffing and chilli relleno-style dishes.
Can Anaheim chillies be harvested green?
Yes. Anaheim chillies are commonly harvested while green. They can also be left on the plant to ripen fully to red.
How deep should I sow Anaheim Chilli seeds?
Sow the seeds approximately 5–10 mm deep into seed-raising mix and keep them warm and consistently moist during germination.
Does Anaheim Chilli need full sun?
Yes. Grow Anaheim in a warm position receiving plenty of direct sunlight for strong growth, flowering and fruit production.
When should I plant Anaheim Chilli seeds in Australia?
In temperate and frost-prone areas, start chilli seeds indoors with additional warmth in late winter or early spring and transplant after frost danger has passed. Gardeners in warmer subtropical and tropical climates generally have a longer chilli-growing season.
How long does Anaheim Chilli take to harvest?
Harvest can generally begin at approximately 70–90 days under suitable growing conditions. Actual timing depends on temperature, plant establishment and whether the fruit is harvested green or allowed to ripen red.
Can Anaheim Chilli be grown in pots?
Yes. Use a reasonably large container with good drainage, fertile growing medium and full sun. Keep container-grown plants adequately watered during hot weather and fruit development.
Where can I buy Anaheim Chilli seeds in Australia?
Seedmart supplies Anaheim Chilli vegetable seeds for Australian home gardeners and growers. This mild New Mexican-type chilli produces long green-to-red fruit suited to roasting, stuffing, grilling, sauces and fresh cooking.
Learn More About Growing Chillies
Not sure which chilli variety to grow? Read our Ultimate Guide to Chilli Varieties for more information on choosing chilli seeds, growing chilli plants and harvesting your crop.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.