Bullhorn

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sweet, glossy Bullhorn peppers arrive with a long, bullhorn silhouette and a luminous, thick-walled sheen that feels almost lacquered in the garden.

As they ripen, their flavor turns rich and mellow—crisp-fresh with a gentle sweetness—ideal for showcasing in bold, colorful displays. Grow Bullhorn for standout bell-style fruits that shine in fresh salads, vibrant roasts, and spoon-ready sauces, with pickling that preserves their bright character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Bush

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
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

Bullhorn’s thick walls and glossy crunch make it stay architectural—great for roasting and slicing without turning watery. The sweetness is mellow, so it plays nicely with sharp, acidic teammates like lime and pickling brine while still carrying its own mild pepper warmth.

Best Uses

roasting until blistered and spoonable, then serving with crusty bread
slice-and-dunk raw in fattier dips where the snap stays intact
quick-pickling for bright, crunchy snacking
chopping into chunky fajita-style sauté where the walls don’t collapse

Flavor Profile

crisp, juicy snap gentle sweetness with mellow, peppery warmth thick, lacquered walls that hold shape

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic olive oil smoked paprika feta chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

My bullhorn peppers have silvery, stippled leaves and the plants look dusty—what pest is it and how do I control it?

That pattern is most often spider mites, which thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause leaf bronzing and speckling. Rinse the undersides of leaves with a strong spray, then release beneficial mites if available or apply insecticidal soap (especially underside coverage) every 5–7 days for 2–3 rounds. Keep plants evenly watered during hot spells to reduce mite outbreaks.

How often should I water bullhorn peppers during the main growing phase (from transplanting through fruit set)?

Water deeply enough to moisten the root zone, then wait until the top 1 inch of soil dries before watering again. In typical home conditions, that’s often about 2–3 times per week in warm weather, but less in cool periods—bullhorn peppers are sensitive to both drought stress and soggy soil. Use mulch to keep soil moisture steady so peppers don’t stall or drop flowers.

When are bullhorn peppers ready to harvest, and what color cues should I look for?

Bullhorn peppers are ready at full size and firmness, typically around 70–90 days after transplanting depending on conditions, and they should reach their target color (green to red or yellow depending on your variety). The best harvest cue is a glossy skin that feels firm, with pods that have stopped growing and are 2–4 inches long and clearly “bullhorn” shaped. Snip peppers with scissors or pruners to avoid tearing the plant.