Japanese origin. Fast, prolific (50+ per plant), and among the easiest peppers to grow. Best container pepper. Thin-walled — blisters perfectly when charred. ~1 in 10 fruit is mildly spicy (100-1,000 SHU) — 'Shishito roulette' is a feature, not a bug. Typically harvested green at 3-4 inches. Compact 18-24 inch plant. Open-pollinated.
At a Glance
Days to Maturity
60–65 days
Sun
6+ hours
8-10 hours
Spacing
12–18 "
Seed Start
8–10 weeks
before transplant
Container
Yes
3+ gallon pot
Height
1.5–2 ft
Zone Planting Guide
Growing Guide
Germination
Germination Time7–14 days
Optimal Temp85°F
Seed Depth0.25"
Transplanting
Min Soil Temp65°F
Harden Off10 days
Watering
Weekly Water1–1.5 "
NeedsConsistent
MethodDrip or base watering
Soil
pH Range6–6.8
Soil TypeWell-draining
Resilience
Heat: ModerateCold: Very-lowDrought: Low
Common Problems
blossom-drop
Cause: Standard pepper temp thresholds.
Prevention: Standard management.
occasional-hot-fruit
Cause: Genetic variability in capsaicin. ~1 in 10 fruit is mildly spicy (100-1,000 SHU). Heat stress and drought increase the ratio.
Prevention: This is a feature ('Shishito roulette'). Consistent watering and moderate temps reduce hot fruit ratio.
Nutrition
Feeding IntensityModerate feeder
Recommended RecipesRoot drench
Harvest
Green, 3-4 inches long, wrinkled skin, 0.5-1 oz. Harvest before seeds fully develop for best flavor/texture.
Planting dates for Shishito Peppers vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.
