Lemon Drop

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Planting Schedule

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

Sunlit and electric, Lemon Drop peppers ripen to a buttery yellow that glows against deep green foliage, with a bright, citrusy heat that builds quickly and lingers pleasantly.

The fruits are slender and tapered, smooth-skinned and pleasantly firm, offering a crisp snap and a lively, aromatic bite that shines in fresh salsas, roasted pepper blends, and tangy sauces. Grow Lemon Drop for a garden that feels like a bouquet of warm lanterns—then harvest for bold, flavorful heat that’s as versatile as it is beautiful.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

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

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lemon Drop’s citrusy heat ramps up quickly and stays crisp rather than turning hollow or soapy, which makes it ideal for fresh chopping where you still get a clean snap. Roast it briefly and it turns aromatic and silky—perfect for sauces that need a bright, pepper-driven edge without losing structure.

Best Uses

seed-and-slice fresh into chunky salsa for a quick, electric burn
roast and purée into a tangy chili-citron sauce or glaze
chop for quick stir-fry or roasted pepper blends where you want both aroma and a crisp bite

Flavor Profile

bright citrusy heat that hits fast crisp, smooth-skinned snap peppery, aromatic bite with a clean, lingering finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic cilantro smoked meats (pork or chicken) sweet corn tahini

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) and what should I do if I see it?

A common issue is corn earworm (often first noticed as holes or frass near the silk and kernels). Check ears every 1–2 days starting when silks appear, then control early by removing/treating affected ears and applying an approved earworm-targeted product according to the label. Keep plants vigorous and avoid over-watering, which can encourage secondary fungal problems around ears and leaves.

How often should I water sweet corn during its main growth phase?

During the period from tasseling through ear fill, keep soil evenly moist—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 waterings if it doesn’t rain. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the root zone to dry out, because drought at silking can cause missing or poorly filled kernels.

How do I know when Lemon Drop sweet corn is ready to harvest?

Harvest when ears are 18–22 days after silking, or when kernels feel plump and exude milky juice when pressed (usually around 75 days to maturity). In general for sweet corn, the best sweetness is close to peak maturity—if you wait too long, kernels become starchy and lose flavor quickly. Plan to harvest in the morning and refrigerate promptly for best eating quality.