Napoleon Sweet

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sweet and fragrant from the first blush of ripeness, Napoleon Sweet bell peppers develop a glossy, thick-walled charm with a crisp snap and a pleasantly mild, sweet flavor.

At maturity they turn a rich, warm red, holding their shape beautifully for standout color in the garden and dependable performance through the 80-day season. Ideal for fresh use and for vibrant sauces, they bring a juicy, tender bite that stays bright even when roasted or simmered down.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Napoleon Sweet

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 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
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

Napoleon Sweet’s thick wall and high water makes it a rare bell pepper that roasts to tender without collapsing—great for slices that still bite. Go hot and fast (or slow-roast) and it stays sweet and juicy, clinging to sauces instead of turning watery.

Best Uses

char and roast for glossy, caramel-edged strips that keep their crunchy bite
quick sauté or stir-fry where you want sweetness without turning mushy
thick-slice for raw grazing with salt and olive oil
blend into a smooth-ish roasted pepper sauce or simmered ragout without losing body

Flavor Profile

sweet, fragrant bell-pepper fruitiness crisp snap with a juicy, tender bite mild, clean finish that stays sweet even when cooked thick-walled structure that holds shape

Kitchen Pairings

garlic olive oil smoked paprika feta lemon chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Capsicum annuum (Napoleon Sweet), and how do I control it?

Watch for aphids and thrips, which commonly cluster on tender shoots and can cause distorted growth; rinse plants with a strong water spray and treat weekly with insecticidal soap until activity drops. If you see leaf spots or a gray, fuzzy mold, improve airflow immediately (space plants properly and avoid wetting foliage) and remove affected leaves; for persistent problems, switch to a registered fungicide labeled for pepper leaf diseases and follow the label schedule.

How often should I water Napoleon Sweet peppers during the 80-day growing phase?

During the main growth phase, keep soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for watering when the top 1 inch of soil dries out. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and container vs. bed conditions; avoid frequent light sprinkles that leave surface roots dry and increase blossom-end rot risk.

How can I tell when Napoleon Sweet (Capsicum annuum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and have a firm wall with glossy skin; for sweet peppers, pick at the color stage you want (often green-to-mature color) and expect best flavor from firm, fully developed peppers. If you want maximum sweetness, let a portion of fruits hang until they deepen in color while continuing to pick regularly to keep new fruit setting.