Fresno – Capsicum annuum

Plant description

Fresno chillies are one of our absolute staples here on the farm, and for good reason. Similar in heat to a jalapeño but with a distinct conical shape, they’re quick to grow, early to fruit, and incredibly reliable. We love how they transition from bright green to a vibrant red, and unlike many varieties, they stay firm when fully ripe—giving them a longer shelf life and making them perfect for fresh use or preserving. Over the years, breeders have refined the Fresno into even more productive and sometimes hotter strains, but at their core they remain a wonderfully versatile, easy-going chilli that we use in a huge number of our own products.

Heat level

Traditional Fresno versions are medium-heat chillies at around 10,000 Scoville Heat Units; however, modern commercial varieties can be much hotter and reach 30,000 SHU or more.

Growing instructions

Capsicum (chilli pepper) plants are easy and rewarding to grow with a little warmth and light. Sow seeds between January and April for a summer harvest, starting them off in a warm, bright spot to encourage strong germination and steady seedling growth. Once established and all risk of frost has passed, they can be moved outdoors, though they thrive just as well indoors year-round. Best Locations: Ideal for sunny windowsills, kitchen counters, or small patio pots. Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny position. With a bit of care, plants can be brought back indoors to extend the harvest, and as perennials, they can even produce for a second season. If you’d like to take things further, our Chilli Growers Workshop is a great next step, and you’ll find more detailed guidance further down this page. And of course, you’re always welcome to get in touch with any questions—there’s a link below.

Recipes

Fresno chillies are one of the most versatile peppers in the kitchen, giving you a steady supply of both green and red fruit, each with its own character. The green pods bring a fresh, slightly sharper heat, while the fully ripe red chillies develop a sweeter, fruitier depth that really shines in cooking . Here on the farm, we use them extensively in our sauces—both fresh and from frozen. Freezing is a simple and effective way to preserve them: harvest, remove the stems, wash, then mince and portion (we batch ours into 500g packs) ready for future use in sauces, soups and cooked dishes . They’re also excellent pickled, with both red and green fruits holding their texture and taking on a lovely tang, perfect for toppings and sides . In the kitchen, Fresno chillies are ideal for salsas, soups, stews, and a wide range of cuisines—from Mexican to Indian and Thai—thanks to their balanced heat and bright flavour . If you’re looking to dry them, we recommend harvesting at full red, slicing them in half, and using a dehydrator or air fryer on a low setting, as their thicker flesh and higher moisture content mean they benefit from a bit of help to dry properly.

About us

Here at Edible Ornamentals at the Chilli Ranch, we’re passionate about growing exceptional chilli plants and helping others succeed with them. Based in the UK, we specialise in producing high-quality, carefully selected varieties for home growers, enthusiasts, and artisan producers alike. Our focus is on flavour, performance, and reliability—so whether you’re growing on a windowsill or in a greenhouse, you can expect great results.

Experience more!

Take your visit beyond the plants and discover the flavour, heat, and stories behind what we do with our unique, highly acclaimed chilli experiences. Whether you’re joining us for a guided Chilli Tour & Tasting, indulging in our Chilli Afternoon Tea, or getting hands-on with our Chilli Growers Workshop, each experience is designed to be relaxed, informative, and memorable. Perfect as a gift or a day out for two, these experiences offer something a little different for chilli lovers of all levels. Use the button below to explore and purchase experience vouchers.

Shop

From artisan hot sauces and chilli jams to chilli plants, veggie plants, fresh chillies, and much more, everything in our shop is available right here in our online store.

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Can we help?

Need chilli growing advice? Looking for specific varieites? Have other questions? Please get in touch. Email us at info@chillitour.co.uk, give us a call at 01480 405663, or just use the button below and drop us a message right here! We look forward to hearing from you.