Buy Pimiento de Padron Chilli Plug Plant

Pimiento de Padron Chilli Plug Plant

The Russian roulette of chillies:Heat Level: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron plant with grower and green chillies

I’ve always found Padrón one of the easiest to grow.

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron green chillies in glass bowl

Picked green, they have a delicate flavour with mild heat & citrus notes.

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron red and green chillies served on plate

Leave a few to ripen red and the flavour deepens with sweetness.

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron unripe chillies growing on plant

Each pod is slightly different — some mild, some unexpectedly fiery.

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron chillies displayed on wooden surface

Smooth, thin-walled fruit makes them perfect for blistering or frying.

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron plant with grower showing developing pods

Compact plants that produce heavily even in cooler summers.

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron green chillies growing in cluster

Best picked when 5–7 cm long, before the skin thickens.

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron green chillies characteristic shape

Pimiento de Padron has a characteristic shape. A young pod taking on its mature form.

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron plant heavy with chillies ready to pick

Grows well in containers; rewards regular picking with new pods..

World of Chillies Pimiento de Padron chillies frying in pan for tapas

Simply fried in a drop of olive oil with sea salt — classic Spanish tapas.

A single Chocolate Primo pod on the plant, darkening to a deep mahogany as it ripens.

Oaxaca’s secret ingredient for bold, earthy dishes.

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Why buy plugs (not plants)?
• A 1-litre plant costs £11–£12.
£20 typically buys five or six plugs.
• If you start in Feb–Mar, those plugs have ~3 months to grow on, and by May they’re often bigger and better rooted than a 1-litre plant that’s been held back to stay saleable.
• You also get more choice, less transit damage, and time to harden plants off properly.

Chilli Profile Key

Coir Blocks

Classic Hots

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Cooks' Collection

The Pimiento de Padron is a delightful and quirky chilli variety known for its unique heat distribution, making it a thrilling addition to any garden or kitchen. As a fan of Spanish tapas, I was excited to add this chilli to our collection.

The plant produces small, green pods that are a bit like playing Russian Roulette; most of the chillies are mild or even without heat, but every so often, you'll encounter one that delivers a fiery surprise. This unpredictability adds an element of fun to your cooking!

Growing Pimiento de Padron is a breeze, and the plants are quite prolific. They thrive in sheltered spots and can even handle cooler climates, making them suitable for growing in the North of England.

To keep your tapas coming, consider growing two or three plants, as you'll need a good quantity to prepare delicious dishes. Flash-frying the chillies in olive oil and seasoning them with salt creates a perfect party snack.

Fast to fruit, these chillies are ready for harvest in just 70 days from transplanting, providing a steady supply of these playful pods.

Find out how to cook your Pimiento de Padron harvest with this simple guide.

If your interested in the top chillies to grow for picking when green, check out; The Best Green Chillies to Grow

Additional Information

▶ Species: Capsicum annuum

▶ Heat Level: Mild to medium, with occasional hot pods. Generally, 1 out of every 5 to 10 chillies will have significant heat.

▶ Fruit Appearance: Small, green pods that ripen to a deep red. Typically uniform in shape, with a pleasant, mild flavour.

▶ Flavour Profile: Mild with a sweet and fruity undertone. Occasionally, a spicy pod adds a kick to the mix.

▶ Vigorous Growth: Prolific and easy to grow. Suitable for sheltered outdoor spots and cooler climates.

▶ Fruiting Time: Fast to fruit, with pods ready for harvest 70 days from transplanting.

▶ Uses: Ideal for making tapas-style dishes. Flash-fry in olive oil and season with salt for a delightful snack.

▶ Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil and sheltered spots. Requires regular watering and can handle cooler temperatures.

▶ How to Grow Chillies: My free 28-page booklet, "How to Grow Chillies," is included with every plant or seed order to help you achieve a successful harvest.

Coir Blocks

Classic Hots

Record-breakers

Cooks' Collection

World of Chillies was set up by Sarah Hunt in 2011 to promote chilli growing and the enjoyment of everything hot and spicy.

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▶ 1. Easy to Grow: Some chillies are just a joy to grow — compact, reliable, and happy in a pot (5). Others shoot off in all directions or sulk at the first sign of wind (1). I’ve given higher scores to the ones that do well here in the UK.

▶ 2. Ornamental Quality: A few of these are real show-offs, with pods that look like jewels or dramatic foliage that turns heads. Others are more practical than pretty. This score is just about how good they look on the patio or in the greenhouse.

▶ 3. Heat Level: This isn’t a technical SHU score — it’s just a kitchen-friendly 1 to 5. A 1 means very mild (like a jalapeño), a 5 is properly hot (think Bhut Jolokia). It should help you judge what you’re in for!

▶ 4. Hardiness: How well do they cope with our unpredictable summers? I’ve given higher scores to the tough ones that keep going through cool nights, wind, or patchy weather without much fuss.

▶ 5. Culinary Use: This one’s about how often I actually use them. Some are perfect for pickling, stuffing or powders — others look good but don’t end up in many meals. If it’s flavourful and versatile, it scores high.

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