Napoleon Sweet

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Planting Schedule

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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

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Napoleon Sweet 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 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 31st	Jul 14th	Oct 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 27th	Jul 10th	Sep 28th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 25th	Jul 8th	Sep 26th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 20th	Jul 3rd	Sep 21st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 16th	Jun 29th	Sep 17th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 13th	Jun 26th	Sep 14th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 7th	Jun 20th	Sep 8th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 2nd	Jun 15th	Sep 3rd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 20th	Jun 5th	Aug 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 11th	May 27th	Aug 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 2nd	May 18th	Aug 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 16th	May 1st	Jul 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 22nd	Apr 6th	Jun 25th – 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	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.