Cubanelle

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Planting Schedule

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

Sink your senses into Cubanelle’s glossy, deep-green fruit—long, gently tapered, and wonderfully crisp to the touch.

With a mild, sweet pepper flavor and a firm, juicy texture, these plants produce steady harvests ideal for frying and skillet-style favorites, as well as fresh snacking and vibrant sautéed preparations. Grow Cubanelle for a dependable, garden-to-pan performer that turns everyday meals into something bright and satisfying.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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Cubanelle 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	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

Cubanelle’s job in the kitchen is staying crisp while it warms—its juicy flesh fries and sautés quickly without turning mushy. For best results, cook it hot and fast until blistered, so the sweetness blooms and the bite remains assertive.

Best Uses

hot skillet frying until blistered and tender-crisp
quick sauté with garlic and olive oil for snappy texture
thin-slice raw snacking with salt and lime
stuff-and-bake or roast for a firm, juicy interior

Flavor Profile

mild sweet pepper flavor crisp, juicy bite green, lightly vegetal snap sweetness that turns glossy in heat

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil lime cotija cheese chicken black beans

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common on Cubanelle (Capsicum annuum), and how do I control it?

A frequent problem is aphids or thrips, which can stunt growth and spread virus; check the underside of leaves weekly, especially when plants are starting to set buds. Spray with insecticidal soap and repeat every 5–7 days for 2–3 rounds, and remove heavily infested leaves to reduce pressure. If you see wilting and browning stems in humid weather, improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage, then discard badly infected plants to prevent spread.

How often should I water Cubanelle during the main growing phase (from transplant through fruit set)?

Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy: water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, which is often about 1–2 times per week depending on heat. During fruit set and steady growth, irregular drying can cause blossom-end rot, so aim for consistent moisture and use mulch to steady evaporation. If the soil remains wet at the surface for more than a day after watering, cut back to avoid root stress.

How can I tell when Cubanelle peppers (Capsicum annuum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully elongated and firm, typically about 70–80 days after transplant, and the green color is glossy. You can pick green for the classic Cubanelle flavor, or leave them to mature longer for a sweeter, deeper red; in both cases the pepper should resist easily when gently tugged. If fruits start to wrinkle or feel soft, they’re past peak and should be picked promptly.