Robinsons Chilli Pepper Big Jim Seeds

Robinsons Chilli Pepper Big Jim Seeds

Robinsons Chilli Pepper Big Jim Seeds produce long, fleshy chillies with a mild to medium heat and a slightly sweet flavour. This New Mexican-style chilli variety is known for its large, tapered fruits, which can reach 20–30cm long under favourable growing conditions.

Big Jim Chilli Pepper produces green fruits that gradually ripen to red. The thick-walled chillies are particularly useful for roasting, grilling and stuffing, while their manageable heat makes them suitable for sauces, salsas and everyday cooking.

The plants have an upright, bushy growth habit and perform best in warm, sunny conditions. In the UK, growing in a greenhouse or polytunnel provides a longer, more reliable cropping season, although plants can also be grown outdoors in a warm, sheltered position.

Key Features

Produces large, elongated green chillies that ripen to red.

Fruits can reach approximately 20–30cm long.

Mild to medium heat with a slightly sweet flavour.

Thick-walled fruits suitable for roasting and stuffing.

Upright, bushy plants with a productive cropping habit.

Suitable for greenhouse and sheltered outdoor growing.

Useful for sauces, salsas, grilling and fresh cooking.

How to Grow Chilli Pepper Big Jim Seeds

Sow Chilli Pepper Big Jim Seeds indoors from February to April in individual pots or seed trays filled with good-quality seed compost.

Sow seeds approximately 0.5cm deep, covering lightly with compost. Maintain a temperature of around 22–28°C to encourage germination.

Keep the compost lightly moist but avoid waterlogging. Germination generally takes 7–21 days, although some seeds may take longer.

Once seedlings are large enough to handle, carefully transplant them into individual pots and grow them on in warm, bright conditions.

Gradually harden young plants off before moving outdoors after all risk of frost has passed, usually from late May or early June.

Grow in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, well-drained soil. In cooler parts of the UK, a greenhouse or polytunnel is recommended for more reliable fruit development and ripening.

Allow approximately 45–60cm between plants. Provide stakes or other support if the stems become heavily laden with fruit.

Water regularly throughout the growing season and begin feeding with a suitable tomato fertiliser once flowers and fruits begin developing.

Harvest the chillies while green or leave them on the plants to ripen fully to red.

Chilli Pepper Growing Tips

Start seeds indoors early to provide a long growing season.

Maintain warmth during germination and protect seedlings from cold temperatures.

Grow in full sun for healthy growth and fruit development.

Provide support where necessary, particularly when plants carry large fruits.

Keep watering consistent during flowering and fruit formation.

Feed regularly once the plants begin setting fruit.

Harvest green chillies for cooking or allow them to ripen to red for a sweeter, more mature flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big do Big Jim Chillies grow?
The fruits commonly reach around 20cm long, with some growing to approximately 30cm under favourable conditions.

How hot is Chilli Pepper Big Jim?
Big Jim is generally considered a mild to medium chilli, although heat can vary between plants and fruits. It is commonly described as around 500–2,500 Scoville Heat Units, depending on the selection.

Can Big Jim Chillies be grown outdoors in the UK?
Yes, in a warm, sunny and sheltered position. However, greenhouse or polytunnel growing usually provides more reliable results.

What are Big Jim Chillies best used for?
Their large size and thick flesh make them particularly suitable for roasting, stuffing and grilling. They can also be used in sauces and salsas.

When should Big Jim Chilli Seeds be sown?
Sow indoors from February to April, providing warmth for germination.

Can Big Jim Chillies be harvested green?
Yes. The fruits can be harvested green or allowed to mature fully to red.

Perfect For

Greenhouses

Polytunnels

Kitchen gardens

Large containers

Roasting

Stuffed chillies

Grilling

Mexican-inspired cooking