Calico

Family: Solanaceae Ornamental Pepper

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Calico to a garden.

A riot of color from the moment the first fruits blush on—Calico pepper delivers glossy, lantern-like peppers that ripen through vivid bands of cream, chartreuse, and fiery red, like a painter’s palette held upright.

The flavor is bright and piquant with a crisp, snappy bite, making each pepper a vivid accent for fresh display and bold, colorful preparations. Ideal for gardeners who want ornamental impact as well as a lively, peppery character in every harvest window (about 70 days to maturity).

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Calico 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	Sep 28th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jul 14th	Sep 22nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jul 8th	Sep 16th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jul 3rd	Sep 11th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 29th	Sep 7th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 26th	Sep 4th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 20th	Aug 29th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 15th	Aug 24th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Jun 5th	Aug 14th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 27th	Aug 5th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 18th	Jul 27th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Apr 6th	Jun 15th – 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	70
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

Calico’s ornamental look comes with real pepper bite—crisp, snappy, and fast to awaken the palate, so it shines when you keep it short-cooked. Use it where its crunch still matters: quick pickles, fresh salsas, and blistered-and-stuffed applications.

Best Uses

quick-pickling for crunchy pop against fatty foods
slicing raw into tacos and citrusy salsas where they stay crisp
broiling or blistering then stuffing with creamy fillings (they hold shape)
chopping into stir-fries near the end to keep bite and color

Flavor Profile

bright, piquant peppery heat snappy crisp bite fruity, slightly grassy sweetness through the color bands

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic cotija cheese chicken black beans olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest is most likely to hit Capsicum annuum “Calico,” and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and especially spider mites on the undersides of Calico pepper leaves, which can cause stippling and leaf drop. Spray plants with a strong stream of water first, then use insecticidal soap (or horticultural oil) and repeat every 5–7 days until no new mites/aphids appear. Avoid excess nitrogen because fast, tender growth attracts more sap-suckers.

How often should I water Calico peppers during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set (most of the 70-day run), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for water about every 2–4 days depending on heat and container size. The top 1 inch should dry slightly between waterings; if leaves wilt at midday repeatedly, increase frequency, but ensure drainage to prevent root rot. Mulch around the stems helps keep moisture steady for pepper fruit development.

How can I tell when Calico peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and the color has clearly shifted to the mature Calico pattern (not just partially colored). Gently lift and twist the pepper; mature fruits should detach with minimal resistance, and unripe peppers will often look smaller and stay firm without full color.