Costeno Pepper (2026)
Mexican heirloom; fruity, mild heat.
Which zones grow Costeno best?
Costeno is a pepper rated for zone 5 and warmer (frost-free). In colder zones, start seeds indoors earlier and use a longer-season plan; in very hot zones (9+), pick the cooler fall window. The ZIP tool below gives the exact answer for your neighborhood.
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Plan backwards — target a harvest date
Tell me when you want your first ripe pepper and your ZIP; I'll reverse-calculate seed-start, transplant, and harvest dates for Costeno.
Plan backwards — target a harvest date
Tell me when you want your first ripe fruit and your ZIP; I'll work out the transplant and seed-start dates for this exact variety.
Growing notes
- Maturity: about 85 days from transplant (longer from seed in cool springs).
- Habit: Bush or trailing habit — compact, container-friendly.
- Season fit: needs roughly 105 frost-free days; check with the ZIP tool above.
- Source data: compiled from public seed catalogs (Seed Savers Exchange). Days-to-maturity vary by climate.
Compare with similar varieties
How Costeno stacks up against its closest relatives.
| Variety | Days | Type | Habit | Min zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costeno (this) | 85 | hot | bush | 5+ |
| California Wonder | 75 | bell | bush | 4+ |
| Jalapeño | 72 | hot | bush | 4+ |
| Serrano | 75 | hot | bush | 4+ |
| Habanero | 95 | hot | bush | 5+ |
| Cayenne | 75 | hot | bush | 4+ |
| Thai Dragon | 80 | hot | bush | 5+ |
| King Arthur | 70 | bell | bush | 4+ |
| Ace | 68 | bell | bush | 4+ |
Similar varieties
California Wonder
75 days · bell · zone 4+
Jalapeño
72 days · hot · zone 4+
Serrano
75 days · hot · zone 4+
Habanero
95 days · hot · zone 5+
Cayenne
75 days · hot · zone 4+
Thai Dragon
80 days · hot · zone 5+
King Arthur
70 days · bell · zone 4+
Ace
68 days · bell · zone 4+
Data: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM/OSU), NOAA 1991-2020 frost normals, and public seed catalog listings. Always confirm with the seed packet.