Orange Peter Pepper

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Orange Peter Pepper to a garden.

Sunlit and bold, Orange Peter Pepper ripens to a vivid orange that glows against its foliage, offering a bright, peppery heat with a crisp, snappy bite.

The fruits are specialty-shaped and satisfyingly firm, ideal for adding vivid color and lively flavor to salsas, roasted pepper blends, and fiery sauces—plus they shine when pickled for tangy, heat-forward relish.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Orange Peter Pepper

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Orange Peter Pepper 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

Orange Peter Pepper brings a firm, snappy crunch plus a vivid orange-fruit sweetness that keeps the heat lively instead of smoldering. Use it chopped raw where you want it to bite back, or pickle/roast to deepen the chili while holding its structure.

Best Uses

slice into fresh salsa for color that stays crisp
roast and char for a firmer pepper blend that doesn’t go watery
pickle for a tangy, heat-forward relish
chop into hot sauces for a clean, chili-forward bite

Flavor Profile

bright peppery heat crisp, snappy flesh slightly sweet orange-fruit edge clean snap with a lingering chili warmth

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic smoked salt cumin vinegar dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Capsicum annuum (Orange Peter Pepper), and how do I manage it?

Watch for aphids and thrips, which can distort young leaves and spread virus in hot, dry weather. Spray early infestations with insecticidal soap and remove heavily infested tips, then keep plants evenly watered and avoid letting soil dry out hard. If you see water-soaked spots or leaf blight, improve airflow, water at the base, and remove affected leaves promptly to slow spread.

How often should I water Orange Peter Pepper during the main growing phase?

During active growth and flowering (after seedlings are established), keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 to 2 inches of water per week depending on heat, with deeper watering rather than frequent light sprinkles. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root issues, especially in containers. In full sun, expect to check daily during heat spikes.

How can I tell when Orange Peter Pepper is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 75 days when fruits reach full size and turn fully orange, with glossy skin and firm flesh. Green fruits can be picked earlier for a sharper flavor, but for the Orange Peter Pepper profile, wait for full color. Use scissors or pruners to cut the fruit from the plant to avoid snapping stems.