Corno Di Toro Red

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sweetly fragrant and richly aromatic, Corno Di Toro Red bull’s horn peppers ripen to a vivid, glossy crimson that catches the light like lacquer.

Their long, gently curved pods offer a crisp, substantial bite with a balanced, mildly sweet heat—ideal for grilling, roasting, and stuffing, or for brightening sauces and quick pickles with their distinctive shape and color.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Corno Di Toro Red

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)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This bull’s horn red brings a sweet, perfume-like pepper aroma plus a controlled burn that stays pleasant rather than aggressive. The thick walls hold their crisp bite on heat, so it’s a go-to for grilling, stuffing, and pickling without turning flabby.

Best Uses

grilling or charring for jammy edges while keeping a snappy interior
roasting and peeling for smoky-sweet strips in oil-and-vinegar dressings
stuffing and baking until the pepper walls go tender but not collapsing
quick pickles for glossy, lacquer-bright crunch

Flavor Profile

mildly sweet heat smoky, peppery aromatics crisp, substantial bite bright red-fruit tang when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil lemon smoked mozzarella aged balsamic pork sausage

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest is most likely on Capsicum annuum (Corno di Toro Rosso) and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and thrips on new growth—both commonly cluster on pepper shoots and under leaves and can leave sticky residue or distorted leaves. Spray the underside of leaves with insecticidal soap early in the morning, repeat every 5–7 days for 2–3 rounds, and remove heavily infested tips to reduce spread.

How often should I water Capsicum annuum during peak fruiting, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During flowering and fruit set, keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged—aim for the top 1 inch to dry slightly between waterings. In most home gardens this is about 1–2 deep waterings per week, increasing to more frequent watering during hot spells, with enough water to wet the root zone rather than just the surface.

How can I tell when Corno di Toro Red/Capsicum annuum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are fully elongated and reach their mature red color, which for this type is typically around 75 days from transplanting. You can also check firmness and glossy skin; pods should feel firm and snap easily rather than stay soft or pale.