Aces & 8's Poblano Cross
Aces & 8’s Pepper Seeds (Sweet Variegated) The Stunning, Zero-Heat Gourmet Poblano · Quick Facts: · Heat: 0–500 SHU (Sweet / Almost No Heat) · · Fruit Size: 4–5" Large, Poblano-style pods · · Maturity: 75–85 Days · · ...
- Days to maturity
- 80 days
- Seeds per packet
- 10
- Season
- 2026
Aces & 8’s Pepper Seeds (Sweet Variegated)
The Stunning, Zero-Heat Gourmet Poblano
Quick Facts:
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Heat: 0–500 SHU (Sweet / Almost No Heat)
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Fruit Size: 4–5" Large, Poblano-style pods
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Maturity: 75–85 Days
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Quantity: 10+ Seeds/Packet
A Masterpiece of Garden Genetics ♠️🎨 The Aces & 8’s is a breathtaking early-generation hybrid that combines the culinary utility of a Poblano with the world-class beauty of Scarlett’s Chili. This is a variegated variety, meaning the foliage is splashed with cream and green, making it a true centerpiece in the garden. Standing over 3 feet tall, it is a heavy producer of large, heavy pods that start a deep, solid black before ripening to a gorgeous ruby red with dramatic black shoulders.
👨🍳 Chef’s Pitch:
"If you love the shape and texture of a Poblano but want a sweeter, more fruit-forward profile, this is your pepper. Because it has almost zero heat, you can use it generously in salads or as a primary stuffing pepper. The 'Black and Red' transition is stunning on the plate—I like to harvest them when they are partially ripened to show off that bi-color contrast. It’s a sweeter, gourmet alternative to the standard supermarket Poblano."
👅 Flavor Profile:
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Sweet & Fruity: Lacks the earthy bitterness of some green peppers; offers a crisp, sugary finish.
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Heat Level: Extremely Mild (0–500 SHU) — Perfect for those who want flavor without the fire.
🍴 Culinary Versatility:
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Gourmet Chiles Rellenos: The large pods and thick walls make these ideal for stuffing with cheeses or grains.
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Sweet Salsas: Adds a rich, fruity base to fresh salsas without making them spicy.
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Roasting: The skins blister beautifully under a broiler, releasing a deep, smoky sweetness.
🌱 Growing Notes:
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Variegated Foliage: The cream-and-green leaves make this a highly ornamental plant for your beds or large containers.
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Tall & Productive: These plants can exceed 3 feet; we recommend using a sturdy cage or stake to support the heavy fruit load.
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Hybrid Variation: As an early-generation hybrid, you may see slight variations in pod shape or variegation—this is the "luck of the draw" that makes gardening exciting!
🇨🇦 Short Season Pro-Tip (Montreal/Zone 5-6):
"Because this plant gets quite large and heavy, it needs a stable environment. In Montreal, the variegation is most vibrant in full sun, but be sure to keep it well-watered during our July heatwaves. Since it's a heavy producer, a mid-season organic fertilizer boost will ensure those large Poblano-style pods reach their full size before the September harvest."
Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Germinate at 26–30 °C on a heat mat; peppers stall below 22 °C. Pot up to 10–15 cm before hardening off outside after nights stay above 12 °C.
Feed balanced through bloom, then bump potassium for fruiting. Stake taller varieties. More detail in our full Canadian growing guide.
Match the pepper to the technique: thin-walled varieties blister fast in a hot pan; thick-walled ones roast or stuff beautifully; fruit-forward ones make balanced sauces and pickles. The variety's flavour profile is your shortcut — see Choosing the right pepper for a use-case guide.




