Cynthia

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Planting Schedule

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

Cynthia bursts with glossy, lantern-bright sweetness—crisp-skinned cherry peppers that catch the light with a smooth, taut sheen and a refreshingly juicy snap.

At maturity (about 70 days), the fruits develop a vivid, fully ripe color and a pleasantly mild, peppery character that shines whether you savor them straight from the garden or fold them into vibrant, colorful preparations. Grow Cynthia for a compact, dependable harvest of bite-size peppers that bring instant charm to fresh salads, bright relishes, and tangy pickled jars.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Bush

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Cynthia 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 28th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Sep 22nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 16th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 11th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 7th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 4th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Aug 29th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Aug 24th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 14th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 5th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Jul 27th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	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	Bush
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

Cynthia’s compact cherry size and crisp, juicy skin make it a “keep-the-bite” pepper—perfect for anything that needs crunch after dressing or brining. Its mild peppery edge plays nicely with sharp acids (lime/vinegar) and salty dairy without turning harsh or cooking down into mush.

Best Uses

snacking and quick-chop raw in salads—keeps crunch and doesn’t weep
quick vinegar relish or salsa—stays lively and glossy
hot-fast sauté with butter or olive oil for a sweet, pepper-forward gloss
quick-pickling for vivid, snappy brine bites

Flavor Profile

lantern-bright sweetness juicy, crisp snap with taut skin mild peppery warmth fresh, clean pepper finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime white vinegar olive oil feta cheese chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Capsicum annuum (sweet cherry pepper) and how can I treat it at home?

A common issue is aphids, which cluster on new growth and can spread viruses. Rinse plants with a strong spray of water, then apply insecticidal soap to the underside of leaves; repeat every 5–7 days for persistent infestations. If you see leaf spots with warm, humid weather, remove affected leaves and improve airflow to reduce re-infection.

How often should I water Capsicum annuum during the main growing phase (after transplanting until fruiting)?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim to water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. In hot weather this is often about every 2–3 days, but containers may need more frequent checks. Consistent moisture helps prevent flower drop and improves fruit set.

How do I tell when Cynthia (Capsicum annuum, sweet cherry pepper) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully sized and reach their mature color for Cynthia, with firm walls and a glossy skin. If you wait until the pepper is soft or wrinkling, it’s overripe for most sweet cherry types. Taste-test one fruit from the plant—harvest the rest when most are matching the same mature stage.