Chilli Big Jim Vegetable Seeds
Grow exceptionally large Big Jim chillies at home for roasting, stuffing, grilling and fresh Mexican-style cooking. Big Jim Chilli (Capsicum annuum), more formally known as NuMex Big Jim, is a famous New Mexican-type chilli producing very long, thick-walled fruit with a mild to medium and naturally variable heat.
Developed at New Mexico State University and released in 1975, Big Jim became particularly well known for its impressive fruit size. Mature green fruit averages approximately 19–20 cm long, although individual fruit can grow considerably larger under favourable conditions.
The long, fleshy chillies mature from green to red and are particularly well suited to roasting and stuffing. Big Jim is a popular choice for making chile rellenos, while green and ripe red fruit can also be grilled, added to sauces and salsas or used in a wide range of cooked dishes.
Big Jim Chilli Seed Details
| Botanical name | Capsicum annuum |
|---|---|
| Variety | Big Jim (NuMex Big Jim) |
| Seed type | Open-pollinated |
| Plant type | Warm-season, frost-tender chilli |
| Plant height | Approximately 40–65 cm |
| Fruit colour | Green, ripening to red |
| Fruit shape | Long, thick, fleshy and moderately flattened |
| Fruit length | Approximately 19–20 cm on average; individual fruit may grow larger |
| Heat level | Mild to medium; heat can vary considerably between plants and fruit |
| Position | Full sun |
| Sowing depth | Approximately 5–8 mm |
| Plant spacing | Approximately 45–60 cm |
| Harvest | Approximately 75–90 days, depending on growing conditions and desired ripeness |
Why Grow Big Jim Chilli?
- Produces exceptionally large, long New Mexican-type chilli fruit.
- Thick, fleshy walls make Big Jim particularly suitable for roasting and stuffing.
- Classic variety for preparing chile rellenos.
- Fruit can be harvested green or allowed to ripen fully to red.
- Mild to medium heat makes it versatile for a wide range of dishes.
- Excellent for grilling, roasting, sauces, salsa and Mexican-style cooking.
- Open-pollinated cultivar developed by New Mexico State University.
- Large fruit and productive plants make Big Jim a distinctive addition to the summer vegetable garden.
How to Grow Big Jim Chilli from Seed
Big Jim Chilli is a warm-season crop that performs best with plenty of sun, warmth and a long growing season. Chilli seeds germinate most reliably under 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. Good light and warm temperatures encourage vigorous growth, flowering and development of the large fruit. - Prepare fertile, free-draining soil.
Big Jim performs best in fertile, well-drained soil. Incorporate compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting where required. - Sow the chilli seeds.
Sow approximately 5–8 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 emerge and 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 45–60 cm between plants to provide adequate room for growth, airflow and development of the large fruit. - 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, stuffing and fresh cooking, or leave selected chillies on the plant until they develop their mature red colour.
When to Plant Big Jim Chilli Seeds in Australia
Big Jim Chilli prefers warm growing conditions and is sensitive to frost. The best sowing period depends on local climate, with gardeners in cooler regions benefiting from starting seeds indoors before spring conditions become warm enough for transplanting.
| 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; extended growing periods are 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. Chilli plants establish and grow much more vigorously once both soil and air temperatures are consistently warm.
What Is Big Jim Chilli?
Big Jim, formally known as NuMex Big Jim, is a New Mexican-type chilli developed at New Mexico State University and released in 1975.
The cultivar became famous for producing exceptionally large chilli pods. Mature green fruit averages approximately 19–20 cm long and around 4–5 cm wide, with individual fruit capable of becoming considerably longer under favourable conditions.
Big Jim produces long, smooth, thick and fleshy fruit that is moderately flattened with broad shoulders and a tapered end. These characteristics make the variety particularly useful for roasting and stuffing.
Its large fruit has made Big Jim a longstanding favourite for preparing chile rellenos and other dishes based around whole roasted green chillies.
How Hot Is Big Jim Chilli?
Big Jim is generally considered a mild to medium chilli, but heat is one of the characteristics that can vary noticeably in this cultivar.
New Mexico State University has documented considerable plant-to-plant variation in the pungency of the original NuMex Big Jim. This means one plant may produce relatively mild chillies while another can produce fruit with considerably more noticeable heat.
For gardeners and cooks, Big Jim is therefore best regarded as a mild-to-medium New Mexican chilli rather than a variety with an absolutely predictable heat level.
Its combination of moderate heat, large fruit and thick flesh makes it particularly versatile for cooking.
Harvesting Big Jim Chillies
Big Jim chillies can be harvested at the mature green stage or left on the plant until they ripen fully to red.
Green Big Jim chillies: Harvest when the fruit has reached a good size and developed firm, fleshy walls. Green fruit is particularly well suited to roasting, grilling and stuffing.
Red Big Jim chillies: Leave selected fruit on the plant until it develops its mature red colour. Ripe fruit can be used fresh, roasted or dried.
Under suitable growing conditions, plants can begin producing harvestable fruit at approximately 75–90 days, although actual maturity varies with temperature, sowing time and whether the fruit is harvested green or fully ripe.
Use secateurs or a clean knife when harvesting large fruit if necessary to avoid damaging heavily laden branches.
Regular harvesting can encourage plants to continue flowering and producing fruit while growing conditions remain favourable.
Why Is Big Jim Popular for Chile Rellenos?
Big Jim is particularly well suited to chile rellenos because its fruit combines large size, thick flesh and relatively moderate heat.
The long, broad pods provide enough space for filling, while the fleshy walls hold their structure well when roasted and cooked. Roasting also allows the outer skin to be blistered and removed before the chilli is stuffed.
Although Big Jim can be used in many different recipes, chile rellenos remain one of the culinary uses most closely associated with the cultivar.
How to Use Big Jim Chillies
Big Jim is a versatile culinary chilli particularly suited to recipes that take advantage of its large, fleshy fruit.
- Chile rellenos: Large, fleshy pods are particularly well suited to roasting, peeling, filling and cooking whole.
- Roasting: Roast green fruit until the skin blisters for use in a wide range of dishes.
- Grilling: Whole or sliced chillies can be grilled and served as a vegetable or added to other dishes.
- Salsas: Roasted or fresh fruit can be chopped into homemade salsa.
- Sauces: Green or ripe red fruit can be incorporated into chilli and Mexican-style sauces.
- Stuffing: The unusually large fruit provides ample room for a variety of fillings.
- Drying: Fully ripe red fruit can also be dried for later culinary use.
Growing Big Jim Chilli in Pots
Big Jim can be grown in containers provided the plants are given 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 container in full sun.
Because Big Jim produces large, relatively heavy fruit, container-grown plants may benefit from staking or other support, particularly when carrying a substantial crop.
Pots can dry out rapidly during hot weather, so monitor moisture levels carefully throughout summer and while fruit is developing. Avoid allowing the growing medium to remain permanently waterlogged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Big Jim Chilli?
Big Jim, or NuMex Big Jim, is a New Mexican-type chilli of Capsicum annuum. It produces exceptionally large, long, fleshy fruit that can be harvested green or allowed to ripen to red.
Who developed Big Jim Chilli?
NuMex Big Jim was developed at New Mexico State University and released in 1975 by Dr Roy Nakayama.
How big do Big Jim chillies grow?
Mature green fruit averages approximately 19–20 cm long, although individual chillies can grow considerably larger under favourable conditions.
Is Big Jim the world’s largest chilli?
Big Jim became famous for exceptional pod length and has been associated with a Guinness record for an extremely long chilli pod. Individual fruit size, however, varies considerably according to plant genetics and growing conditions.
How hot is Big Jim Chilli?
Big Jim is generally considered mild to medium in heat. The original cultivar is known for considerable variation in pungency, so individual plants and fruit can differ noticeably in heat.
Is Big Jim the same as Anaheim Chilli?
No. Big Jim and Anaheim are both New Mexican-type chillies, but they are distinct cultivars. NuMex Big Jim was specifically developed and released by New Mexico State University.
What colour are Big Jim chillies?
Fruit develops green and can be harvested at the mature green stage or left on the plant until it ripens to red.
Are Big Jim chillies good for stuffing?
Yes. Their exceptional size and thick, fleshy walls make Big Jim particularly well suited to stuffed chilli dishes, including chile rellenos.
Can Big Jim chillies be roasted?
Yes. Roasting is one of the best-known uses for New Mexican-type chillies such as Big Jim. The skin can be blistered over high heat and peeled before the roasted flesh is used in cooking.
How deep should I sow Big Jim Chilli seeds?
Sow the seeds approximately 5–8 mm deep into seed-raising mix and keep them warm and consistently moist during germination.
Does Big Jim Chilli need full sun?
Yes. Grow Big Jim in a warm position receiving plenty of direct sunlight for strong growth, flowering and fruit development.
How far apart should Big Jim Chilli plants be spaced?
Allow approximately 45–60 cm between plants to provide sufficient growing space and airflow.
When should I plant Big Jim Chilli seeds in Australia?
In temperate and frost-prone areas, start seeds indoors with additional warmth in late winter or early spring and transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed. Gardeners in subtropical and tropical climates generally have a longer warm growing season.
How long does Big Jim Chilli take to harvest?
Harvest can generally begin at approximately 75–90 days under suitable conditions. Actual timing varies according to temperature, plant establishment and whether fruit is harvested green or allowed to ripen red.
Can Big Jim Chilli be grown in pots?
Yes. Use a reasonably large container with good drainage, fertile growing medium and full sun. Plants carrying a heavy crop of large fruit may benefit from additional support.
Can Big Jim chillies be harvested red?
Yes. Although Big Jim is commonly harvested as a green chilli, fruit can be left on the plant to ripen fully to red.
Where can I buy Big Jim Chilli seeds in Australia?
Seedmart supplies Big Jim Chilli vegetable seeds for Australian home gardeners and growers. This famous New Mexican-type chilli produces exceptionally large, fleshy fruit suited to roasting, stuffing, grilling and Mexican-style 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.
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