Takara Shishito Pepper
Best productive hybrid for home gardeners seeking easy-to-grow snacking peppers.
Discover the Takara Shishito Pepper, a hybrid variety celebrated for its delightful mild spice and exceptional snackability. These plants are early and highly productive, boasting a compact, well-branched structure that yields uniform, slender peppers. Measuring about 3 inches, the fruit transitions from a light green to a vibrant red as it matures. Perfect for grilling or simply enjoying fresh, these bite-sized peppers feature sturdy stems, making them easy to handle. As a bonus, peppers are a rich source of nutrients, with capsaicin potentially aiding metabolism and reducing inflammation.
$5.45
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 6504
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-49%
Below average
Botanical Name
Capsicum annuum
/ Capsicum annuum
Who it's for
- Market gardeners seeking high-volume, continuous seasonal yields
- Home cooks wanting versatile, snackable produce for quick meals
- Short-season growers needing fast-maturing crops for early harvests
Who should skip it
- Busy gardeners preferring low-maintenance, infrequent harvesting schedules
- Sensitive eaters requiring consistent, zero-heat flavor profiles
- Bulk shoppers needing produce with a long refrigerator shelf life
Performance breakdown
Harvest Efficiency
Early maturity and high yields ensure a consistent supply of peppers.
Growth Habit
Compact, well-branched structure fits neatly into most garden layouts.
Culinary Versatility
Uniform size and sturdy stems make these perfect for quick grilling.
Germination Reliability
Hybrid genetics provide dependable performance for consistent garden success.
Flavor Profile
Delightful mild spice offers a crowd-pleasing snackable experience.
Space Optimization
Requires moderate spacing, making it better for beds than containers.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Capsicum annuum
Days to Maturity
60 days
Seed Depth
0.635 cm (1/4 inch)
Soil Temperature for Germination
70–90°F
Minimum Germination Rate
70%
Seeds per Gram
Approximately 140
Plant Spacing
30.48 cm (12–18 inches)
Row Spacing
60.96 cm (24–30 inches)
Features
- Produces richly flavored, mild-spice Shishito peppers
- Early and highly productive plant habit
- Compact, well-branched, and spreading plant structure
- Fruit ripens from light green to red
- Uniform, slender, bite-sized peppers
- Sturdy stems on harvested fruit
- Hybrid variety for reliable performance
- Ideal for grilling or snacking
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and reliability of the Takara Shishito seeds. Reviewers frequently highlight the impressive germination rates, noting that nearly every seed successfully sprouts. This ease of use translates directly into abundant yields, providing excellent value for home gardeners. The resulting peppers are celebrated for their authentic, mild flavor, making this variety a highly recommended choice for both novice and experienced growers seeking a prolific and dependable crop.
Know before you buy
Takara Shishito peppers are known for their mild, delightful spice. While most are quite mild, it is a common trait of the variety that an occasional pepper may have a bit more heat.
This hybrid variety is early-maturing, typically ready for harvest in about 60 days after planting.
No, these are not recommended for container gardening. They require a planting space of 12–18 inches apart to accommodate their well-branched, spreading structure.
You can harvest them while they are light green or wait until they transition to a vibrant red. Both stages are edible and delicious, though the flavor profile may deepen slightly as they ripen to red.
For the best germination results, ensure your soil temperature is between 70–90°F. Plant the seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch.
Takara Shishito peppers thrive in full sun to partial sun conditions. Ensure they receive consistent light to support their high productivity.
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$5