How to Grow Poblano 'Ancho Poblano'
Capsicum annuum 'Ancho Poblano'
The Poblano pepper is a popular warm-season vegetable prized for its large, flat shape and mild, smoky flavor when dried as Ancho chiles. Gardeners grow this easy-to-cultivate heirloom variety to add depth to sauces, salsas, and roasted dishes throughout the summer harvest.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Poblano 'Ancho Poblano': indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Poblano 'Ancho Poblano' is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors for direct sowing unless you are extending the season in a very short summer; instead, plant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed up sufficiently.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 for best results. As a warm-season crop, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date when nights are still cool. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep in seed trays or pots filled with sterile mix. Expect germination to occur within 10 to 21 days after sowing.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in full sun to ensure good air circulation. Provide consistent moisture, aiming for about one inch of water per week via deep watering rather than frequent shallow sprinkles. Apply organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds once seedlings are established.
Watch for aphids, cutworms, spider mites, pepper weevils, bacterial spot, phytophthora blight, and pepper mottle virus. Prevent issues by inspecting plants regularly, ensuring good airflow, and removing infected leaves early. Harvest fruits when they turn dark green or mature black; this typically takes 65 to 75 days after transplanting.
When to Plant Poblano 'Ancho Poblano'
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | September – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | — | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | — | April – June |
Companion Plants for Poblano 'Ancho Poblano'
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially enhancing pepper flavor
Loosens soil for pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Repels aphids, thrips, and other pests while improving soil health
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain moisture
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently
✗ Keep away from
Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development
Releases juglone toxin that stunts pepper growth and causes wilting
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
