Mattapeno x Hot Pops F3

Mattapeno × Hot Pops F3 blends the variegated jalapeño heritage of Mattapeno with the multi-color, cluster-setting habit of Hot Pops, yielding a compact annuum that’s equal parts ornamental and kitchen-ready. Expect glossy, mounded plants with splashes of white and green on the foliage (variegation intensity varies), plus upright clusters of small pods that color through multiple stages on the same plant. Immature fruit can show green with a purple cast, then wash through cream/yellow and orange before finishing red—while some selections carry faint striping from the Mattapeno side. Heat sits in the mild–medium band—livelier than a sweet frying pepper but friendlier than Thai—so you can char, slice, and pickle freely. The thin walls blister fast on a hot pan, and the bite is clean and peppery with a touch of sweetness. Plants thrive in containers or front-of-bed placements; steady moisture and frequent picking keep bouquets of new fruit forming. Because this release is F3, phenotypes will segregate (fruit roundness vs. short-cone, degree of variegation, purple blush), which makes it a fun line for selection. If you want a patio showpiece that also earns its keep in the kitchen, this cross checks every box.

Days: 75–95
Species: Capsicum annuum
SHU: ~1,000–8,000 (mild–medium; F3 selection dependent)
Heat Level: Mild–Medium
Plant Size: ~16–28 inches, compact/mounded; container friendly
Pod Size: ~1–2 inches; mostly round to short-conical clusters (occasional short jalapeño-type cones)
Color: Green/purple cast → cream/yellow → orange → red (multicolor display); foliage variegation common
Flavor: Clean, peppery snap with light sweetness; chars and pickles beautifully
Creator: Matt’s Peppers — Mattapeno × Hot Pops cross (F3 selection)
Seeds Source: Matt’s Peppers