Capsicum annuum 'Padron' (Chilli)

Common name: Padrón Pepper

Description: Capsicum annuum 'Padrón' is the celebrated Spanish tapas pepper made famous by the Galician saying: "some are hot, some are not." The small, thin-walled green fruits are typically mild and sweet when harvested young, but a proportion — unpredictably — develop a significant level of heat, making every plateful a minor adventure. They are best pan-fried in olive oil and scattered with sea salt, as served in tapas bars throughout Spain. Plants are compact, bushy, and very productive, making them excellent for containers on a sunny patio and highly rewarding for anyone who enjoys growing their own ingredients for entertaining.

Other benefits: the classic Spanish tapas pepper; exciting unpredictable heat variation; very productive compact plants; excellent in pots on a sunny patio

Wildlife attraction: bees and other pollinating insects

Height & spread (approx.) at maturity: 45–60cm x 45cm

Position: full sun; patio containers, greenhouse, or warm sheltered border

Soil pH: slightly acid to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0); fertile, well-drained soil or compost

Moisture: regular watering required; high-potash liquid feed once flowering begins; avoid allowing compost to dry out

Winter hardiness: frost tender; grow as an annual from spring