How to prune 'padrón' pepper

Crown bud removal at transplanting; light thinning in early summer if needed. Pinch out the first flower bud at the main stem fork. If the canopy becomes dense, remove a few inward-facing stems with clean scissors to open airflow. Harvest fruits regularly when small (3–5 cm / 1–2 in) to keep the plant productive.

Once for crown bud; minimal thinning only if canopy is dense. Padrón peppers are compact, productive plants that need minimal pruning. Remove the crown bud when young to encourage branching and more peppers. Beyond that, light removal of crowded stems improves airflow, which is useful in humid conditions. Padrón's naturally tidy habit means heavy pruning is counterproductive and reduces yield.

Pinch out the first flower bud at the main stem fork. If the canopy becomes dense, remove a few inward-facing stems with clean scissors to open airflow. Harvest fruits regularly when small (3–5 cm / 1–2 in) to keep the plant productive.