Italian Sweet

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sun-warmed and glossy, Italian Sweet Bull’s Horn peppers hang in graceful, tapering pods that feel crisp and substantial at first touch.

Their flavor is pleasantly sweet with a gentle, mellow snap—ideal for fresh enjoyment and for roasting until their skins turn beautifully blistered, then turning into vibrant sauces or quick pickles. A garden favorite for its dependable 75-day rhythm and its elegant, horn-like silhouette that looks as good as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
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	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

Italian Sweet Bull’s Horn peppers bring real sweetness plus a clean, crisp bite that doesn’t taste watery or hollow raw. Roast them until the skins blister for a caramel-leaning, tender flesh that turns silky in sauces or stays pleasantly snappy in quick pickles.

Best Uses

roast and blister, then peel for spoonable antipasti
quick pickles where the pepper stays snappy and bright
char-griddled pepper slices for fajita-style fillings
fast pan-sauces or romesco-adjacent blends for pasta and eggs

Flavor Profile

pleasant sweetness with a gentle, mellow heat crisp, tapering snap when raw roasty, caramel-tinged flavor once blistered silky, jammy body when cooked down

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil lemon smoked paprika goat cheese eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Capsicum annuum (Italian Sweet) and what should I do?

Italian sweet peppers commonly suffer from aphids and then virus issues; look for clusters of sticky insects on new growth and curled or mottled leaves. Spray peppers with an insecticidal soap (or a strong water blast) and repeat every 5–7 days for 2–3 rounds, removing heavily affected plants to prevent spread. Also keep weeds down around the bed, since weeds can host aphids and other virus-carrying pests.

How often should I water Italian Sweet peppers during the main growing phase?

During the main growth phase (after transplanting until flowering and fruit set), keep soil evenly moist—about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and soil drainage. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil is dry, and avoid letting soil swing between bone-dry and soggy because peppers can drop flowers and develop misshapen fruit.

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

Harvest at about 75 days from transplanting when fruits reach full size and the skin is firm and glossy. Pick “sweet” peppers when they have turned their mature color (often green-to-red depending on your crop), and for best flavor harvest with a little stem attached using scissors or pruners.