Goebbert’s Garden Center
Where to Buy the Best Pepper Plants
Ready to turn up the heat—or keep it cool and sweet—in your spring garden? At Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center, we offer a vibrant, curated collection of plantable peppers perfect for every palate and garden setup. Whether you’re crafting a salsa garden, pickling pantry, or simply want color and crunch in your backyard, our pepper plants are locally grown, lovingly selected, and ready to thrive.
With decades of growing expertise, a reputation rooted in quality, and over 2,000 5-star Google reviews (see them here), we’re proud to be the answer to your search for where to buy pepper plants that truly deliver.
Why Goebbert’s Pepper Plants?
Not all peppers—and certainly not all nurseries—are created equal. At Goebbert’s, we’ve spent generations perfecting the art of the garden start, and our pepper plants are no exception. Every variety we offer is a hybrid, chosen specifically for high yields, disease resistance, and flavor-rich performance in Illinois’s variable climate.
These are the same varieties we trust in our own fields and sell in our summer farm market—including beloved staples like Lady Bell, Melrose, and Jalapeño. Grown right, right here.
What Peppers to Grow This Spring
Peppers are one of the most satisfying crops for home gardeners. They’re stunning in containers, prolific in raised beds, and packed with personality and flavor. Whether you’re brand-new to gardening or a seasoned green thumb, we’ve got a pepper for your plot.
Goebbert’s Garden Favorites
We Think These Are The 7 Best Pepper Plants
These seven superstar varieties are our most popular spring pepper selections—and for good reason.
Lady Bell Pepper
This dependable bell pepper produces thick, juicy walls with a classic sweet flavor and satisfying crunch. It’s perfect for stuffing, slicing, or grilling, and thrives in both beds and containers.
Sweet Banana Pepper
Long, smooth, and slightly tangy, Sweet Banana peppers are the multi-tool of the pepper world. They’re great for frying, pickling, or adding mild bite to fresh dishes.
Gypsy
Gypsy peppers are sweet and crisp, starting pale yellow and ripening to rich orange or red. Their thin walls make them perfect for quick sautées, fresh snacking, and colorful salads.
Melrose
A Chicago favorite and beloved local heirloom, Melrose peppers are slender, thin-skinned, and deeply sweet when sautéed. They’re a must-grow for anyone who loves frying peppers or recreating traditional Italian recipes.
Jalapeño
Spicy but approachable, Jalapeños add bold flavor to everything from nachos to fresh salsa. Their compact size, consistent yields, and early harvest time make them a favorite for gardeners and chefs alike.
Serrano
A step up in heat from Jalapeños, Serrano peppers are bright, crisp, and packed with zesty flavor. They’re ideal for hot salsas, sauces, and pickled pepper rings.
Hot Banana
These elongated beauties offer a sweet heat that intensifies as they ripen. They’re excellent for stuffing, slicing, or grilling, and bring just enough fire to please heat lovers without overpowering your plate.
🌶️ Full Pepper Plant Variety Chart
Looking for sweet, mild flavor without the burn? Our sweet peppers for garden use include everything from classic green bells to vivid purple and blush-colored beauties.
Goebbert’s Sweet Pepper Varieties
Goebbert’s Hot Pepper Varieties
Bring the fire. These hot varieties are perfect for grilling, pickling, saucing, or just showing off your spicy side.
| Name | Maturity | Information | Color |
| Ancho (Poblano) | 68–93 days | Medium/hot flavor | Dark Green to Red |
| Cayenne | 72 days | Hot thin pepper | Green to Red |
| Ghost (Bhut Jolokia) | 85–100 days | Extremely hot pepper | Orange to Red |
| Habanero | 75–90 days | Medium to very hot flavor | Dark Green |
| Hot Banana | 67–73 days | Medium/hot flavor | Yellow to Red |
| Hot Cherry | 67–80 days | Hot, high-yield small pepper | Green to Red |
| Jalapeño | 75 days | Medium/hot flavor | Green |
| Super Cayenne | 72 days | Fiery hot thin pepper | Green to Red |
| Super Chili (Thai) | 75 days | Intensely hot thin pepper | Green or Red |
| Super Serrano | 75 days | Fiery hot thin pepper | Green to Red |
🔥 Pepper Heat Scale (Scoville Units)
Need help dialing in your spice level? Here’s a quick look at how our available pepper plant varieties stack up:
|
Pepper Variety |
Flavor |
Scoville Heat Units (SHU) |
|
Lady Bell |
Mild, sweet |
0 |
|
Sweet Banana |
Tangy, sweet |
0–500 |
|
Gypsy |
Mild, slightly sweet |
0–500 |
|
Melrose |
Sweet, rich |
0–1,000 |
|
Hot Banana |
Medium, sweet heat |
5,000–10,000 |
|
Jalapeño |
Medium-hot |
2,500–8,000 |
|
Serrano |
Hot |
10,000–23,000 |
|
Cayenne |
Very hot |
30,000–50,000 |
|
Habanero |
Extremely hot |
100,000–350,000 |
|
Ghost Pepper |
Intensely hot |
800,000–1,000,000+ |
New to Growing Peppers?
Start Here.
We love welcoming new gardeners into the fold! Here’s a quick start guide if you’re just planting your first round of pepper plants:
Best for containers: Yum Yum, Lilac Bell, Patio Cherry
Best for stuffing or grilling: Lady Bell, Gypsy, Sweet Banana
Sweetest flavors: Melrose, Valencia, Sweet Cherry
Mild-to-hot heat: Jalapeño, Serrano, Cayenne, Hot Cherry
And remember, all of these plantable peppers are raised with care and ready to take root in your home garden.
How to Use Your Peppers All Season Long
Peppers are as versatile in the kitchen as they are in the garden. Here are some fresh ideas.
Stuffed: with cheese, rice, sausage—or all three
Grilled: Melrose, Gypsy, and Hot Banana shine with a char
Pickled: Sweet Banana and Jalapeño preserve beautifully
Frozen: Slice and freeze raw for use all winter
Dried: Ghost, Super Cayenne, and Habanero make excellent flakes or powder
Common Questions About Growing Peppers
When should I plant my pepper plants in Illinois?
Once the danger of frost has passed, typically mid-to-late-April. Wait until nighttime temps stay above 50°F.
Can I grow peppers in containers?
Absolutely. Many varieties, including Yum Yum, Lilac Bell, and Patio Cherry, thrive in pots.
How long will they produce fruit?
Most pepper plants start producing in July and continue through the first frost if properly cared for.
What are the easiest peppers for beginners?
Try Lady Bell, Sweet Banana, or Jalapeño. They’re productive, resilient, and super satisfying to grow.
Stay Informed On Upcoming Events & News
Join the Goebbert's Farm & Garden Center Newsletter
Visit Goebbert’s
Whether you’re planting your first salsa garden or building a backyard bounty, Goebbert’s has the pepper plants and guidance to make your spring harvest unforgettable.
Visit our Garden Center starting mid-April for the best selection of sweet and hot plantable peppers, and join the Loyal Gardening Club to earn points, access seasonal tips, and get rewarded for growing with us. Then, in Summer, our Farmer’s Market and General Store are packed with farm-fresh produce and homemade goods.
At Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm, we are dedicated to providing a unique and authentic farm experience for all ages. So come on down and join us for some good old-fashioned fun on the farm!