217 varieties

Easiest Peppers to Grow

Starting a pepper garden? These varieties are forgiving, productive, and rewarding for first-time growers through experienced gardeners.

217 varieties 6 comparisons 5 heat levels

Use these next-step routes to move from category browsing into substitutions, pairings, and recipes.

About Easiest Peppers to Grow

Starting a pepper garden? These varieties are forgiving, productive, and rewarding for first-time growers through experienced gardeners. We've selected 217 varieties based on their suitability for growing. Heat levels range across the full Scoville scale, so there's an option for every tolerance level.

Options range from Pepper X (3.2M SHU) on the mild end to Banana Pepper (500 SHU) for serious heat. Check our heat level guide to understand what each tier feels like.

Can't find the exact pepper you need? Our pepper substitutes finder suggests swaps based on heat and flavor. You can also compare any two peppers head-to-head.

Notable Varieties

All Easiest Peppers to Grow

217 varieties

Every variety in this collection, sorted by maximum Scoville heat rating. Click any card for the full profile with flavor notes, anatomy details, growing tips, and substitutes.

NuMex Suave Orange
0–800 SHU
Cajun Belle
0–500 SHU
Bullhorn Pepper
0–500 SHU
Ramiro Pepper
0–500 SHU
Sichuan Pepper
0–0 SHU
NuMex Joe E. Parker
0–0 SHU
Prik Kee Noo
0–0 SHU
Guntur Sannam
0–0 SHU
Lumbre Pepper
0–0 SHU
Malagueta Pepper
0–0 SHU
NuMex Heritage Big Jim
0–0 SHU
Rocotillo Pepper
0–0 SHU
Chocolate Scotch Bonnet
0–0 SHU
Togarashi Pepper
0–0 SHU
Yatsufusa Pepper
0–0 SHU
Rezha Macedonian
0–0 SHU
Gypsy Pepper
0–100 SHU
Peperone di Senise
0–0 SHU
Carmen Pepper
0–0 SHU
California Wonder Pepper
0–0 SHU
Melrose Pepper
0–0 SHU
Purple Beauty Pepper
0–0 SHU
Fushimi Pepper
0–0 SHU
Tangerine Dream Pepper
0–100 SHU
Chilly Chili Pepper
1–100 SHU
Shishito Pepper
50–200 SHU
Biquinho Pepper
80–500 SHU
Pepperoncini
100–500 SHU
Cubanelle Pepper
100–1K SHU
Long Hot Italian
100–1K SHU
Pimento Pepper
100–500 SHU
Cherry Pepper
100–500 SHU
Mexibell Pepper
100–1K SHU
Smoked Paprika (Pimentón)
250–1K SHU
Peppadew Pepper
280–650 SHU
Urfa Biber
500–2K SHU
NuMex Big Jim
500–3K SHU
Padrón Pepper
500–3K SHU
Anaheim Pepper
500–3K SHU
Santa Fe Grande
500–700 SHU
Alma Paprika
500–1K SHU
Piquillo Pepper
500–1K SHU
Choricero Pepper
500–1K SHU
Ñora Pepper
500–1K SHU
Mariachi Pepper
500–600 SHU
Holy Mole Pepper
700–800 SHU
Kashmiri Chili
1K–2K SHU
Cascabel Pepper
1K–3K SHU
Aji Panca
1K–2K SHU
Pasilla Pepper
1K–3K SHU
New Mexico Chile
1K–8K SHU
Hatch Chile
1K–8K SHU
Ancho Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Poblano Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Guindilla Pepper
1K–2K SHU
Medusa Pepper
1K–5K SHU
Chilaca Pepper
1K–3K SHU
NuMex Heritage 6-4
1K–2K SHU
Chilaca/Pasilla Relationship
1K–3K SHU
NuMex Centennial Pepper
1K–5K SHU
Gochugaru
2K–10K SHU
Espelette Pepper
2K–4K SHU
Goat Horn Pepper
2K–5K SHU
Korean Green Pepper
2K–10K SHU
Cascabella Pepper
2K–6K SHU
Gochugaru Flakes
2K–10K SHU
Chilhuacle Pepper
2K–3K SHU
Sangria Pepper
2K–5K SHU
Mirasol Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Costeño Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Chipotle
3K–8K SHU
Fresno Pepper
3K–10K SHU
Guajillo Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Mulato Pepper
3K–3K SHU
Red Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Cherry Bomb Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Cowhorn Pepper
3K–5K SHU
Purple Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU
Black Hungarian Pepper
3K–10K SHU
Pasilla de Oaxaca
4K–10K SHU
Chimayo Pepper
4K–6K SHU
Jalafuego Pepper
4K–6K SHU
Pretty in Purple Pepper
4K–8K SHU
Bishop's Crown
5K–30K SHU
Puya Pepper
5K–8K SHU
Hungarian Wax
5K–15K SHU
Morita Pepper
5K–10K SHU
Fish Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Hungarian Hot Wax
5K–15K SHU
Sandia Pepper
5K–7K SHU
Buena Mulata
5K–15K SHU
Beaver Dam Pepper
5K–15K SHU
Bulgarian Carrot Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Hinkelhatz Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Criolla Sella Pepper
5K–15K SHU
Count Dracula Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Royal Black Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Little Elf Pepper
5K–30K SHU
Aji Mirasol
6K–15K SHU
Byadgi Chili
8K–15K SHU
Serrano Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Aleppo Pepper
10K–30K SHU
Isot Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Reshampatti Chili
10K–30K SHU
Sanaam Chili
10K–30K SHU
Peter Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Black Pearl Pepper
10K–30K SHU
Chinese 5 Color
10K–30K SHU
Cheongyang Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Sport Pepper
10K–23K SHU
Bolivian Rainbow Pepper
10K–30K SHU
Inca Red Drop Pepper
10K–30K SHU
Manzano Pepper
12K–30K SHU
Lemon Drop
15K–30K SHU
De Arbol
15K–30K SHU
Japones Pepper
15K–30K SHU
Peperoncino
15K–30K SHU
Red Pepper Flakes
15K–45K SHU
Aji Omnicolor
15K–30K SHU
Pimenta de Neyde
15K–30K SHU
Jwala Pepper
20K–30K SHU
Aji Colorado
20K–30K SHU
Aji Pineapple
20K–30K SHU
Calabrian Chili
25K–40K SHU
Rocoto
30K–100K SHU
Cayenne Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Tabasco Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Aji Amarillo
30K–50K SHU
Piquin Pepper
30K–60K SHU
Dundicut Pepper
30K–65K SHU
Facing Heaven Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Maras Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Aji Limo
30K–50K SHU
Aji Charapita
30K–50K SHU
Aji Cristal
30K–50K SHU
Numex Easter
30K–50K SHU
NuMex Twilight
30K–50K SHU
Aurora Pepper
30K–50K SHU
Aji Cito
30K–50K SHU
Guntur Chili
35K–50K SHU
Santaka Pepper
40K–50K SHU
Apollo Pepper
50K–100K SHU
Sugar Rush Peach
50K–100K SHU
Peri Peri
50K–175K SHU
Thai Dragon
50K–100K SHU
Bird's Eye Chili
50K–100K SHU
Thai Chili
50K–100K SHU
Chiltepin
50K–100K SHU
Tien Tsin
50K–75K SHU
Lombok Pepper
50K–100K SHU
Cabe Rawit
50K–100K SHU
Prik Jinda
50K–100K SHU
Kanthari Chili
50K–100K SHU
Teja Chili
50K–100K SHU
Sugar Rush Stripey
50K–100K SHU
Piri Piri Pepper
50K–175K SHU
Malagueta
60K–100K SHU
Prairie Fire
70K–80K SHU
Charleston Hot
70K–100K SHU
Siling Labuyo
80K–100K SHU
Habanero
100K–350K SHU
Scotch Bonnet
100K–350K SHU
Datil Pepper
100K–300K SHU
Madame Jeanette
100K–350K SHU
White Habanero
100K–350K SHU
Aji Chombo
100K–350K SHU
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
100K–350K SHU
Wiri Wiri
100K–350K SHU
Yellow Scotch Bonnet
100K–350K SHU
Chocolate Scotch Bonnet
100K–350K SHU
Fatalii
125K–400K SHU
Orange Habanero
150K–325K SHU
Chocolate Habanero
300K–425K SHU
Caribbean Red Habanero
300K–475K SHU
Hot Paper Lantern Pepper
300K–400K SHU
Red Savina Habanero
350K–580K SHU
7 Pot Barrackpore
800K–1.3M SHU
Bhut Jolokia Chocolate
800K–1M SHU
Bhut Jolokia Yellow
800K–1M SHU
7 Pot Katie
800K–1.2M SHU
7 Pot Jonah
800K–1.2M SHU
7 Pot Yellow
800K–1.2M SHU
7 Pot White
800K–1.2M SHU
Nagabon
800K–1M SHU
Bhut Jolokia White
800K–1M SHU
7 Pot Red Giant
850K–1.2M SHU
Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion
850K–1.2M SHU
Ghost Pepper
855K–1M SHU
Dorset Naga
900K–1.5M SHU
7 Pot Primo
1M–1.5M SHU
7 Pot Brain Strain
1M–1.4M SHU
Bedfordshire Super Naga
1M–1.4M SHU
Naga Morich
1M–1.5M SHU
Congo Trinidad
1M–1.2M SHU
Infinity Chili
1.1M–1.3M SHU
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
1.2M–2M SHU
7 Pot Douglah
1.2M–1.9M SHU
Naga Viper
1.3M–1.4M SHU
Carolina Reaper
1.4M–2.2M SHU
Komodo Dragon Pepper
1.4M–2.2M SHU
Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
1.5M–1.5M SHU
Chocolate Bhutlah
1.5M–2M SHU
Dragon's Breath
2.5M–2.5M SHU
Pepper X
2.7M–3.2M SHU

Heat Level Distribution

How easiest peppers to grow distribute across the Scoville scale. Click any tier to browse all peppers at that heat level.

Mild 45 varieties Medium 47 varieties Hot 63 varieties Extra-Hot 34 varieties Super-Hot 28 varieties

Heat Range Comparison

Visual breakdown of where each variety falls on the Scoville scale. The bar width shows the documented SHU spread — wider bars mean more variable heat between individual pods. Learn why heat varies in our guide to pepper heat variation.

Banana Pepper 0–500
Bell Pepper 0–0
Sweet Italian Pepper 0–100
Corno di Toro 0–500
Jimmy Nardello 0–500
Trinidad Perfume 0–500
Aji Dulce 0–500
Paprika Pepper 0–1K

Related Comparisons

All comparisons →

Side-by-side breakdowns of heat, flavor, and culinary uses. Each comparison covers Scoville ratings, pod anatomy, and substitution options.

Browse all comparisons in our comparison hub, or use the pepper tools for calculators and finders.

Related Guides

All guides →

Deep-dive articles covering the cooking techniques, growing methods, and science behind easiest peppers to grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Top picks include Banana Pepper, Bell Pepper, Sweet Italian Pepper, Corno di Toro, Jimmy Nardello. We cover 217 varieties total.
Yes — mixing varieties adds complexity. Combine a mild base pepper with a hotter accent pepper for layered heat and flavor.
Sources & References

Explore More

Browse our full pepper database, compare varieties head-to-head, or find peppers by heat level. For cooking inspiration, check our guides and recipes.

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