Bishop's Crown

Family: Solanaceae Mildly Hot Pepper

Bishop’s Crown peppers arrive with a regal, lantern-like silhouette and a glossy, deep-green sheen that ripens to a warm, burnished red.

Their flesh is crisp and pleasantly thick, with a bright, peppery snap and a gentle, sweet-leaning finish that makes them irresistible for showcasing flavor in every garden basket. Grow Bishop’s Crown for specialty-shape roasting, fresh slicing, and vibrant sauces—plus pickling that highlights their bold color and sturdy bite.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Bishop's Crown

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bishop’s Crown is built for showcase-eating: thick walls and a crisp bite so the flavor lands as a bright peppery snap rather than a mushy pepper. Roast hard for blistered edges or pickle fast—the crunch holds, while the gentle sweetness rounds out the heat without losing the snap.

Best Uses

sharply sliced for raw salads—keeps a clean crunch under vinaigrette
roasting or broiling until blistered and charred, then peeling for glossy, sweet-pepper flesh
stuffing and baking for a meaty, lantern-shaped bite that won’t collapse
quick-pickling to preserve the peppery snap and warm, burnished color

Flavor Profile

bright peppery snap gentle sweet-leaning finish crisp, thick-walled crunch glossy, slightly tangy vegetal juiciness

Kitchen Pairings

lime smoked paprika garlic white vinegar feta chicken or pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my Bishop’s Crown (Amaranthus) gets downy mildew or leaf spots?

Check for pale, yellowing patches that turn brown/gray on leaf undersides and/or dark, spreading spots on older leaves—common in humid weather. Remove and discard the worst leaves, water at the soil line (not the foliage), and space plants so air can circulate; thin seedlings if they’re crowded. If spots spread despite cleanup, apply a labeled copper-based fungicide early (follow the label), and avoid overhead watering for the rest of the season.

How often should I water Bishop’s Crown during the main growing phase?

After seedlings establish, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy: water when the top 1 inch feels dry. In hot spells, this may mean watering every 2–4 days, but always confirm with the soil (don’t water on a fixed schedule). Consistent moisture helps continuous leaf growth, while letting the soil swing wet/dry can stunt growth.

How can I tell when Bishop’s Crown is ready to harvest at about 75 days?

Harvest when plants are about 24–30 inches tall and the young leaves are tender and easy to snap, usually around 70–75 days from sowing. For best texture, pick in the morning and harvest outer leaves first; avoid waiting until leaves become tough or the plant starts shifting strongly into flower production. If you want regrowth, don’t cut more than about one-third of the plant at a time.