Aji Dulce

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Planting Schedule

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Aji Dulce peppers arrive with a bright, sunlit aroma and a gently sweet, fruity heat that feels more like a warm glow than a burn.

The slender fruits develop into crisp, smooth-skinned pods with a refreshing snap and a flavor that shines in fresh use, then deepens beautifully when roasted for smoky sweetness. Grow Aji Dulce for a long, rewarding harvest window—perfect for gardeners who want vivid color and a sweet-seasoning pepper that elevates everyday meals with effortless versatility.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bush

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Aji Dulce Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Oct 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Oct 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Oct 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 27th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 24th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 18th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 13th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Sep 3rd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 25th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 16th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jul 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Aji Dulce plays in that sweet-heat lane—bright fruit and a refreshing snap when raw, then a deep, smoky sweetness once roasted. It’s the kind of pepper that makes everyday food feel tailored: slice it for crunch or roast it for a creamy, spoonable chile flavor.

Best Uses

thin-sliced topping for tacos, burritos, and grain bowls where it stays crisp
fresh pepper relish or quick pickles for a bright heat-and-fruit pop
roast until blistered, then fold into crema, yogurt sauces, or vinaigrettes
blend into a chunky hot-sweet salsa or chile oil for spoonable heat

Flavor Profile

sunlit fruity sweetness gentle, warm-heat glow rather than a punch crisp, smooth-skinned snap smoky-sweet depth when roasted

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic cilantro smoked paprika cotija or queso fresco crema or sour cream

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat blossom-end rot or fungal leaf spots on Aji Dulce peppers?

Blossom-end rot on Aji Dulce is usually from inconsistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist from when the first flowers set through fruit fill, and avoid letting beds dry out then flood. For fungal leaf spots, remove the most affected leaves early and water at the soil line (not overhead) to keep foliage dry; if spots spread, treat with a labeled copper or chlorothalonil product and repeat as directed on the label. Start by mulching to steady moisture and consider spacing plants so leaves don’t stay wet.

During the main growing phase (about weeks 4–10 after transplanting), how often should I water Aji Dulce peppers?

In full sun, water Aji Dulce enough to keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy; a good rule is about 1–2 inches of water per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply 1–3 times per week rather than daily sprinkles, and only increase frequency during hot, windy spells or container-grown plants. Check by finger-test: if the soil at 1 inch is dry, water; if it feels wet or leaves droop soon after watering, reduce to prevent root stress and fruit-tip problems.

How can I tell when Aji Dulce peppers are ready to harvest?

Aji Dulce typically takes about 90 days to maturity, and you’ll know it’s ready when fruits are firm, glossy, and have reached their mature color (often yellow to orange/red depending on your local strain). Harvest by cutting the stem (don’t pull) when peppers are fully developed and at least about finger-length, and you can pick earlier if you want a milder, greener flavor. For best sweetness and fuller heat, wait until they’ve colored up rather than harvesting at the first green stage.