Grow a garden filled with Serrano Chili peppers, from freshly harvested Capsicum annuum seeds. Serrano Chili is a hot pepper that ranges anywhere between 6,000 and 20,000 units on the Scoville heat scale. The plants grow to a mature height of roughly 24 to 30 inches tall, producing 1 to 2 inch fruits. Serrano chili peppers appear green, with a waxy outer skin, eventually ripening to red as their heat increases. Both the green and red fruits can be harvested and are often used in many Mexican dishes and sals'a as well. Harvest in roughly 75 days when peppers are mature for picking. Serrano Chili peppers are grown as annual plants. They grow fairly quickly, from freshly harvested seeds, establishing leaves and fruits through the hot months of summer. They will bare good yields of fruit, and will later wilt with the cooler temperatures of the Autumn season. If you choose to save some of the seeds, this pepper plant can be resown the following season.  Sowing The Seed Peppers are best started indoors, in a controlled environment, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost. Sow them in peat pots, at a depth of 1/4” under topsoil. Peat pots will allow you to transplant the entire pot directly into the garden when the weather is warm and will also prevent root shock. Check below for additional info on spacing & growth habits. Growing Conditions Pepper plants will thrive in the heat of summer, so they should receive full sunlight for the majority of the day, with temperatures of at least 75F or more. A soil that is rich in organic matter is best, with a pH level of at least 6.2 and 7.0. Also make sure that your sowing medium is well drained, or your plants can wilt due to being waterlogged. Water your pepper seeds daily to provide them with ample amounts of moisture until germination has occurred. Germination & Growth Pepper seeds typically take anywhere between 14 to 28 days to germinate. After your seedlings start to grow, they will mature to an estimated height of roughly 24 to 30 inches tall and spread at least 24 inches wide. On average, Pepper plants can be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart from one another, in rows spaced 18 inches apart. These plants do very well when grown directly in the garden, or in large pots and containers as well. Harvesting Serrano Chili Peppers Once the plants are established, your fruits will grow to a size of roughly 1 to 2 inches. They ripen from green to red, meaning that they are ready for picking. Simply snip or pick the stems an inch from the fruits and eat fresh, or store them by drying, freezing or pickling / canning. Harvest in roughly 75 days.