- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
- Learn More
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 65 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae, Nightshade family, includes tomatoes, potatoes, petunias, nicotiana, Chinese lantern, and eggplant.
Type: Under 5000 Scoville Units, Chile Pepper (Learn more)
Native: Americas
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive perennial grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 18"‒36" tall, 12"‒24" wide
Variety Info: 4 ½" long, 1 ½" wide at the shoulder tapering to a rounded tip; peppers start out dark green turning to red if left to mature on the plant. Red jalapeños are slightly sweeter and spicier. The popular chipotle pepper is a dried, smoked, red jalapeño. 'Megatron' is a medium-hot pepper at 2,500-2,500 Scoville heat units. Pepper heat varies depending on growing conditions.
Attributes: Bacterial Leaf Spot Resistant, Tobamovirus Resistant, Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: For mild climates only: 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, 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: Can also sow 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
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest when mature size and firm. Jalapeños can be harvested green or red, and are hottest just when they begin to turn from green 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.
Special Care: Pepper seed germinates best in very warm soil. Either use a heat mat under your seed starting tray or place tray in a warm room. Do not overwater, but keep soil just slightly moist. Make sure the potting containers are big enough that the plants’ roots will not be constricted; if seedlings become rootbound, the plants’ growth may be stunted.
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Pepper: Sow and Grow Guide- Jack M.Verified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars3/23/26Low Germination Rate
I planted 5 at first and only had one germinate. Then I planted the remaining 5, and none of those germinated. I even planted them alongside the BI early jalapeños to see if another factor, like the soil or watering, was the issue—but no, the megatons just seem to have an extremely low germination rate.
BIBotanical Interests3/24/26Hey Jack,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Cristina B.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/22/26Biggest & Best Jalapeno I've ever experienced!
I will never NOT grow Megatron in my garden. 5 plants provided an overabundance of huge peppers for my family and so many others. It was amazing. I'd come in every few days with 15- 20lbs of huge peppers. These made my 11yr old daughter want to be a "pepper farmer" someday. 😍 We are obcessed!
BIBotanical Interests3/23/26Hey Cristina,
We're absolutely thrilled to hear about your amazing Megatron Jalapeño experience! 15-20 pounds of peppers from just 5 plants - that's incredible! And how awesome that these peppers inspired your daughter to dream about becoming a pepper farmer - sounds like you've got a future gardener on your hands! There's nothing better than a harvest so abundant you can share with family and friends. We love that you're obsessed and can't wait to grow them again! Keep on growing 🌻️
- BethVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars2/27/26The best jalapeños ever!
Huge jalapeños, prolific, first to ripen and kept ripening all season! Adding to my 'must' list every year!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests3/10/26Hey Beth,
We're absolutely thrilled to hear your Megatron Jalapeño Chile Pepper Seeds gave you such incredible results! Huge, prolific jalapeños that were first to ripen and kept producing all season long - that's exactly what we love to hear! It's wonderful that they've earned a spot on your 'must grow' list for every year. There's nothing quite like finding that perfect variety that delivers consistently amazing harvests. Thank you for choosing us and for sharing this fantastic success story with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- TaraRated 5 out of 5 stars1/1/26The best jalapeños!
I had>90% germination last season. I have never had great success with jalapeño plants producing well, so I started 12 plants. I had more peppers than I knew what to do with! They were loaded with giant, beautiful jalapeños. These are the only jalapeños I'll grow from here on out!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests1/3/26Hey Tara,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your amazing experience with our Megatron Jalapeño Chile Pepper Seeds! We're absolutely thrilled to hear about that incredible >90% germination rate and how loaded your plants were with giant, beautiful jalapeños! It sounds like you really hit the jackpot with this variety - what a fantastic harvest! We love that you went from struggling with jalapeño production to having more peppers than you knew what to do with. That's exactly what we love to hear! Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your growing success with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Bronzetta R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/6/25I can’t wait for spring
I love peppers so these had to be apart of my spring planting plan, Botanical Interest heirloom seed never disappoints . I know these will grow beautifully and have a fresh and refreshing flavor
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerBIBotanical Interests12/7/25Hey Bronzetta,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your excitement about our Megatron Jalapeño Chile Pepper Seeds! We absolutely love hearing from fellow pepper enthusiasts - there's nothing quite like growing your own fresh peppers! Your confidence in our Botanical Interest heirloom seeds really means the world to us, and we're so excited that these Megatrons are part of your spring planting plan! You're absolutely right about that fresh, crisp flavor - these jalapeños really do deliver something special when they're homegrown. We can't wait for spring either and we know these are going to grow beautifully for you! Thanks for sharing your pepper-growing passion with us. Keep on growing 🌻️