Grown Shishito 'Japanese Shishito'?

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Shishito 'Japanese Shishito' — Peppers

60-70days to harvest

10-14days to germinate

Z4–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant outdoors 2-3 weeks after last frost when soil temperature reaches 60°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1 inch per week, consistent moisture
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with good organic content
Soil pH: 6.0-6.8
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 1-3 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Bright green, can ripen to red if left on plant
Size: 3-4 inches long, 0.5-0.75 inches wide
Shape: Slender, wrinkled, slightly curved with pointed tip
Flavour: Mostly mild and sweet (50-200 Scoville) with occasional hot pepper surprise

In the kitchen

Blistering in hot pan, grilling, tempura, Japanese cuisine, appetizers

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil
Diseases: Bacterial spot, anthracnose, pepper mottle virus
Resistance: Good resistance to common pepper diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	May	July – August	—	September – August
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	August – October
4	March – April	June	—	August – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	July – September
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	June – August
9	January	March – April	—	May – July
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor

MarigoldsDeters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds

TomatoesSimilar growing requirements and can share space efficiently

OreganoRepels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

ChivesDeters aphids and improves overall plant health as a companion

CarrotsLoosens soil around pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on pepper pests

Avoid

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

BrassicasHeavy nitrogen feeders that compete with peppers and may stunt growth

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in pepper plants

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 1.66
Fat (g): 0.45
Carbohydrate (g): 5.35
Fibre (g): 3.4
Sugars (g): 1.95
Vitamin A (µg): 17
Vitamin C (mg): 82.7
Vitamin E (mg): 0.69
Vitamin K (µg): 9.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.357
Folate (µg): 29
Calcium (mg): 14
Iron (mg): 0.46
Magnesium (mg): 17
Phosphorus (mg): 32
Potassium (mg): 256
Zinc (mg): 0.25
Selenium (µg): 0.3

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the peppers growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Shishito 'Japanese Shishito'?

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