NuMex Big Jim Pepper Seeds (Capsicum annuum) Famous for being one of the biggest green chiles around, NuMex Big Jim produces meaty, mildly spicy peppers that are great for roasting or stuffing. Originally developed in New Mexico

Minimum: 15+ Seeds

Turn Up the Heat with the King of Green Chiles
Massive Flavor. Legendary Size. Straight from the sun-soaked fields of New Mexico.

If you're the kind of gardener who dreams of big, beautiful harvests and flavors that stop people in their tracks, NuMex Big Jim is your pepper. These meaty green chiles are famous for a reason. Their flavor is rich and balanced, their size is jaw-dropping, and their story is deeply rooted in the culture and soil of the American Southwest. Whether you're stuffing them with cheese, tossing them on the grill, or drying them for winter meals, Big Jim peppers bring the garden and the kitchen together in one unforgettable crop.

Originally developed by New Mexico State University in the 1970s, NuMex Big Jim was bred to be bigger, meatier, and more productive than traditional chiles while keeping that signature New Mexican flavor. It is a cultivar that honors tradition while delivering modern performance. Plants are compact but strong, producing an impressive crop of peppers that often reach over a foot long, with thick walls and just the right touch of heat.

Why Grow NuMex Big Jim:

• Fruits regularly reach 10 to 12 inches in length

• Mild heat around 2,000 Scoville units, ideal for families and flavor lovers

• Crunchy, thick flesh with a smoky-sweet finish

• Early to mid-season producer with long harvest window

• Compact, upright growth makes it easy to stake or cage

• Performs well in full sun across USDA zones 6 through 10

Kitchen Star. Garden Workhorse. Cultural Icon.

This pepper is a legend in New Mexican cuisine. From chile rellenos to tamales and green chile stew, NuMex Big Jim is often the go-to choice for authentic roasted flavor. The pods roast beautifully and peel easily, making them perfect for bulk roasting sessions at peak harvest. If you dry them and let them ripen red, the sweetness deepens and the complexity intensifies. This is the pepper that carries tradition forward, one meal at a time.

But it’s not just for food. These peppers attract bees and other pollinators with their delicate white blooms, adding pollination support to your whole garden. Chickens will gladly peck at the leftover stems and scraps, and spent plants compost down quickly. For seed collectors, NuMex Big Jim is a must-have variety with a meaningful backstory and real-world performance.

How to Grow NuMex Big Jim Peppers:

Start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost. A heat mat helps ensure strong germination since peppers prefer warm soil between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Transplant seedlings into the garden or large containers once night temps stay above 55 and the soil is fully warm.

Choose a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil. Amend with compost or aged manure before planting. Give each plant at least 18 to 24 inches of space and water deeply once or twice a week. Let the topsoil dry slightly between waterings to avoid root rot. Fertilize lightly with a balanced organic fertilizer once flowering begins.

Stake your plants early if you expect a heavy yield. The fruits get large and will weigh down branches fast. Pick them green for fresh use or let them ripen red for drying and seed saving. Regular harvesting keeps the plant producing strong into fall.

Quick Tips:

• Full sun, minimum six hours daily

• Ideal for raised beds, in-ground rows, and large containers

• Companion plants: basil, carrots, marigolds, and onions

• Great choice for zone 7 gardens and up

• Days to maturity: around 75 to 85 days from transplant

One Pepper. So Many Possibilities.

There’s something special about the moment you hear that skin crackle over an open flame, or slice into a chile still warm from the sun. Growing NuMex Big Jim peppers means more than just putting food on the table. It’s about flavor, memory, and pride in something you raised from seed to harvest.

Order now to lock in your spot in the growing season. NuMex Big Jim seeds are always in high demand with serious gardeners and seed lovers. Once you grow it, you’ll understand why.

Flavor this big doesn’t come around often.