Cherry Bomb

Family: Solanaceae Mildly Hot Pepper

Planting Schedule

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

Sweetly aromatic and vividly bright, Cherry Bomb peppers ripen to a glossy, cherry-red that feels almost jewel-like in the garden.

The fruits are compact and thick-walled with a crisp, juicy bite and a pleasantly lively heat that builds gently rather than overwhelming. Ideal for roasting, fresh snacking, and quick pickling, they also shine in vibrant sauces where their color and character bring instant appeal.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Bush

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Cherry Bomb 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	Sep 23rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 13th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 13th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Sep 17th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 13th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 11th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 6th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 2nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Aug 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Aug 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Aug 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Jul 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Jul 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 10th – 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	65
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Cage
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

Cherry Bomb’s thick walls and crisp juiciness make it hold up in heat and vinegar without turning watery. The gentle, building heat plus sweet pepper perfume is made for roasting/pickling and for bright sauces that need color and punch.

Best Uses

quick pickling for glossy, crunchy cocktail peppers
roasting until blistered for sweet-scorched edges and jammy interiors
slicing raw into olive-oil dressings and chopped salads where they stay crisp
blending into a quick warm sauce that keeps its color and bite

Flavor Profile

sweet, fruity pepper aroma crisp, juicy bite with thick-walled snap lively, medium-linger heat that builds gently bright, tangy finish when cooked or pickled

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic lime juice capers white vinegar chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease/pest problem for Capsicum annuum (Cherry Bomb peppers), and what should I do if I see it?

A frequent issue is blossom-end rot, which shows up as dark, sunken spots on the pepper tip and is caused by inconsistent calcium uptake from irregular watering. Keep soil moisture steady by watering deeply when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) dries, and avoid letting pots or beds swing between dry and soggy. If the first fruits show rot, remove affected peppers and focus on even moisture; foliar calcium is only a short-term aid if watering doesn’t stabilize.

How often should I water Cherry Bomb peppers during peak growth/fruiting?

During flowering and fruiting, water when the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil dries, then soak thoroughly until excess drains (for containers) or until the root zone is evenly moist (for beds). Aim for roughly 1–2 deep waterings per week in warm weather, increasing frequency during hot spells, because Capsicum annuum drops flowers when the soil dries too much. Mulch around plants to reduce moisture swings, especially once fruit begins to set.

How do I tell when Cherry Bomb peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 65 days from transplant (often sooner depending on conditions), when the peppers have reached their full size and firm feel. Cherry Bombs start green and typically turn red as they mature; for the best sweetness, harvest when they’re fully colored (usually red) and glossy. Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the stem with the fruit still attached to avoid tearing the plant.