Bananarama

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Planting Schedule

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Sunlit and sweet, Bananarama banana pepper pods glow in a cheerful yellow that ripens from pale chartreuse to warm golden tones, with a gently tangy, aromatic bite and a crisp, juicy snap.

The slender, banana-curved fruits hang in tidy clusters and hold their tender texture for fresh use, bright pickling, and vibrant pepper-forward sauces. Grow Bananarama for a long, satisfying harvest window—each pod is a small, flavorful ribbon of color ready to brighten your garden’s bounty.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

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Bananarama 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	Mar 30th	Jul 20th	Oct 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jul 14th	Sep 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jul 8th	Sep 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jul 3rd	Sep 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 29th	Sep 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 20th	Sep 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 15th	Aug 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Jun 5th	Aug 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 27th	Aug 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 18th	Aug 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	May 1st	Jul 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Apr 6th	Jun 20th – 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	75
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

Bananarama’s banana-curved pods deliver sweet, tangy pepper flavor with a clean, crisp juiciness—ideal when you want crunch and brightness, not burn. They also pickle beautifully, staying lively and ribbon-like instead of turning soft, which is why they earn a spot in anything from sandwiches to quick brines.

Best Uses

quick pickles (brine keeps the snap)
thin rings in salads where they won’t go mealy
banana-pepper relish for burgers and dogs
blend into a pepper-forward hot sauce that stays bright instead of smoky

Flavor Profile

gently tangy bite sweet, fruity pepper aroma crisp, juicy snap mild heat with a bright finish

Kitchen Pairings

white vinegar olive oil garlic lemon juice cream cheese sharp cheddar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Capsicum annuum (sweet banana pepper) and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and whiteflies, which can cause sticky leaves and virus risk in Capsicum annuum. Spray plants with insecticidal soap (especially underside of leaves) every 5–7 days until pressure drops, and remove heavily infested leaves. Also keep the area weeded and avoid overhead watering to reduce foliar diseases like powdery mildew.

How often should I water sweet banana peppers (Capsicum annuum) during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruiting, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusting for heat and container size. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly before watering again to prevent root stress. In hot spells, check moisture daily for containers and water when the surface dries.

How can I tell when Bananarama sweet banana peppers (Capsicum annuum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are firm, glossy, and have fully developed their expected color for your preference (often green early and turning yellow/ripe later). Most home gardeners harvest around 70–90 days after transplant for peppers in this group, but use fruit size and color more than calendar days. Cut peppers with scissors or pruners to avoid tearing the plant.