Serrano Tampiqueno Chili Seeds

Information: Serrano Tampiqueno chillies are a cultivated variety of the Mexican serrano chili from the region around the port of Tampico. Alongside jalapeño peppers, serrano chillies are a classic of Mexican cuisine and, combined with tomatoes they form the basis for the famous Mexican salsa Pico de Gallo. The name serrano indicates that it originates in Mexico’s high plains. The plants remain relatively small and develop a bushy crown on a strong little trunk.

In Mexico, the plant’s country of origin, the peppers are harvested when green, but continue to ripen relatively quickly after harvesting. Once in their fully ripened state, they develop a pleasant sweetness together with a medium-strength spicy heat. This makes them fantastic for eating raw to spice up salads and salsas, but they can also be cooked, pickled or frozen.

Care: Germination temperature is between 22°C  and 28°C (germination period: 8-20 days); it is therefore recommended to use a greenhouse and a heating mat. The plants need fresh, well-fertilised permeable soil and should not be left in standing water. They should be placed in a sunny, sheltered place with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, if not more. The earliest time to place the plants outside is 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost. The plants are also easy to take care of throughout the winter if they are grown in pots. It might be necessary to cut them back slightly and place them in a light place where it is at least 15°C.

You can find plenty of useful tips for successfully growing chili plants in our Chili Growing Guide and in the Chili Journal.