Lipstick

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Glossy as a satin rouge, Lipstick sweet frying peppers hang in tidy ranks, their slender, tapered fruits ripening from green to a vivid, lipstick-red that catches the light.

The flesh is crisp-crunchy with a bright, peppery sweetness and a gentle, warming heat—ideal for high-heat frying where their shape stays elegant and their flavor turns richly caramelized. Grow Lipstick for a bold garden accent and a dependable harvest at about 75 days, perfect for skillet-style favorites and vibrant sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
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	Cage
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

Lipstick peppers are built for heat: their slender shape stays elegant in the pan while the sugars quickly caramelize, giving you sweet pepper flavor with a clean, warming finish. They’ll keep a pleasant crunch after frying—perfect when you want color, snap, and a gentle kick instead of mush.

Best Uses

hot skillet frying (skins blister, flesh stays snappy)
quick pickling for crisp, red pepper snaps
thin-sliced sauté to fold into vegetable-forward stir-fries
blistered pepper salsa or relish with a sweet-heat backbone

Flavor Profile

bright peppery sweetness crisp-crunchy flesh that softens gracefully gentle, warming heat glossy caramelization under high heat

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime black beans smoked paprika cotija cheese chicken thighs

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease/pest issue on Capsicum annuum (lipstick pepper) and how do I treat it?

A frequent problem is pepper fruit rot caused by fungal pathogens (often worsened by wet foliage and inconsistent watering). Remove any infected fruit, water at the soil line (not the leaves), and improve airflow with careful spacing; if rot keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for vegetables per the product directions. For pests, watch for aphids and thrips early—rinse plants with a strong water spray and, if needed, apply an insecticidal soap when infestations are light.

How often should I water lipstick peppers (Capsicum annuum) during the main growing phase?

During the main growth and flowering stage, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy, aiming for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and container/bed drainage. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries out, because dry spells followed by heavy watering can trigger blossom-end issues. Mulch helps stabilize moisture so plants form fruit reliably.

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

Harvest when fruits have reached their full size and color stage specified for your crop (typically starting green and progressing to red). They should feel firm and have a glossy skin; if fruits are still thin or dull and resist easy picking, wait a bit longer. For best flavor, harvest at peak color around the ~75-day maturity window from transplant/growth start and use scissors or a sharp pruner to avoid tearing the plant.