Corno di Toro Rosso

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Corno di Toro Rosso to a garden.

Sink your senses into Corno di Toro Rosso’s glossy, horn-shaped pods—an alluring transition from deep green to a rich, velvety red that looks almost lacquered in the garden.

The flesh is crisp and substantial with a pleasantly piquant, peppery snap, ideal for bold flavor in roasted preparations, vibrant sauces, and pickling where its distinctive bull’s-horn form shines. Grow it for a long, rewarding harvest window and a striking, ornamental presence as the pods mature over the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Corno di Toro Rosso

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Corno di Toro Rosso 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	Oct 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Sep 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Aug 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 20th – 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	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
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

Corno di Toro Rosso is built for heat with structure: the thick, crisp walls hold up to roasting and don’t collapse into watery pepper mush. Use it charred or pickled when you want that piquant snap—then let it mellow against olive oil, garlic, and vinegar.

Best Uses

roasting and charring for smoky-sweet pepper purée
quick blender sauces and hot pepper vinegar for punchy piquancy
pickling to preserve the pod’s firm crunch and horn shape
slicing into oil for a clean, assertive heat layer

Flavor Profile

piquant, peppery heat with a crisp snap green-to-red sweetness shift as it ripens thick pod flesh that roasts down into silky ridges

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil vinegar smoked paprika tomato aged cheddar

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Capsicum annuum (Corno di Toro Rosso) plants developing curled leaves and what should I do about it?

Leaf curl on hot, dry spells is often caused by aphids or whiteflies feeding on Solanaceae leaves, which can also lead to distorted growth. Spray the undersides of leaves with a strong water jet and then apply insecticidal soap (or horticultural oil) in the evening, repeating every 5–7 days until new leaves emerge normal. Keep weeds down around the bed and avoid nitrogen-heavy feeding, which can make plants more attractive to sap-suckers.

How often should I water Capsicum annuum during the fruiting phase to keep Corno di Toro Rosso productive?

Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries, typically every 2–4 days in warm weather, aiming for consistently moist (not soggy) soil. Uneven moisture can trigger blossom-end issues and slow fruit swelling, so don’t let pots or beds completely dry out between waterings. Mulch around plants to reduce rapid drying, and water at the base to keep foliage dry.

How can I tell when Corno di Toro Rosso peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the peppers are firm, fully elongated, and have turned a deep red with a glossy skin—typically around 75 days from sowing/typical maturity timing. If you harvest earlier for a spicier, greener stage, pick when they’ve reached full size but are still green/red-tinged; for true “Rosso,” wait for full red coloration. Use scissors or pruners to cut the stem to avoid tearing the plant.