planting shishito pepper seeds Shishito Japanese Pepper Seeds

This little beauty is very popular in Japan and is making its way in the U.S. Shishito Peppers, also known as the Lion pepper, or referred to as the "Wrinkled Old Man", has a unique appearance and can be prepared many ways to add mild flavor to your favorite dish. 

Shishito pepper plants are compact, reaching 2 ft. tall, perfect for container growing. This is a prolific plant that spreads out long and is an early producer of many 3-4" long pods. Hence their nickname, these peppers have very wrinkly skin, thin walls, and an elongated shape. Shishitos will mature from green to red, with a sweeter taste when it ripens to red.

You can expect mild heat with these peppers, but watch out! Shishitos have a Russian Roulette tendency where only one out of every 10-20 peppers will shockingly surprise you with incredible heat! Their flavors are sweet, citrusy, and slightly smoky when enhanced by grilling or sautéing. For a delicious treat, sauté these in olive oil until they begin to blister, sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy! The Shishito chile is the pinnacle of appetizers and is often a popular starter in restaurants.

Try growing other Mild Pepper Seeds and check out more varieties in our ever-expanding Pepper Seed Collection.