Peter Pepper

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Aromatic and vivid—Peter Pepper brings a bright, peppery heat that blooms quickly and lingers with a clean, lively finish.

The fruits ripen to a glossy, warm red with a distinctive tapered, lantern-like specialty shape, offering crisp, snappy flesh that shines in bold, flavor-forward applications. Grow it for fresh snacking, roasting, and vibrant sauces, or for pickling where its vivid color and assertive bite make every jar look alive.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
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	Upright
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

This tapered, lantern-shaped pepper delivers an upfront pop of heat with crisp texture—great when you want flavor to cut through, not melt away. Use it chopped or pickled for a clean, lively bite that stays assertive even once it’s in a sauce or jar.

Best Uses

fresh snacking—slice thin and eat straight or on buttered bread
roasting for glossy, caramel-edged heat and tender bite
quick-pickle for vivid color and a sharp, crunchy pop
chopping into vibrant hot sauces for a clean heat profile

Flavor Profile

bright peppery heat that blooms quickly crisp, snappy flesh clean, lively finish with a lingering bite

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime juice white vinegar smoked salt honey charred corn

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Capsicum annuum (Peter Pepper), and how do I treat it?

Watch for aphids and thrips, which can stunt growth and cause distorted leaves and buds on pepper plants. Spray infested plants with insecticidal soap (or a strong jet of water for small outbreaks) and repeat every 5–7 days until no new damage appears. Also keep leaves dry and remove infected foliage promptly because peppers in humid conditions can develop fungal leaf spots.

How often should I water Peter Pepper during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During flowering and fruit set, keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged—aim for watering about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and container vs. bed conditions. A good target is even moisture at 2–4 inches deep; if the top inch dries out, water thoroughly. Avoid frequent light watering, which encourages shallow roots and can lead to blossom-end rot.

How can I tell when Peter Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach their mature size and the skin is firm, usually around 75 days from transplanting. For best flavor, pick when they have fully developed color for your desired stage (green for a fresher bite, red for full sweetness). If peppers snap cleanly off the plant with minimal bending, they’re ready to harvest.