Red Marconi

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sweetly fragrant at first glance, Red Marconi turns boldly hot as it ripens—long Bull’s Horn pods develop a glossy, deep crimson sheen with a firm, crisp snap.

Expect a bright, peppery heat that’s clean and lingering, ideal for turning everyday dishes into vivid, fiery accents. Grow Red Marconi for its dependable 75-day finish and its elegant, uniform shape that looks as striking in the garden as it performs in bold sauces, salsas, and pickled relish.

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	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

Red Marconi’s long, crisp pods deliver a peppery burn that starts fragrant and ends clean—great when you want heat without mush. Use it where the pod’s snap matters (salsas, quick pickles, brief blistering), because it stays toothsome instead of collapsing into sauce.

Best Uses

chopping fine into salsa and keeping it snappy for texture
quick-pickling into glossy, crisp relish that cuts rich fats
seeding and stuffing with herbed fillings for a hot, crunchy bite
blistering briefly and folding into hot sauces or oil for a fast, vivid heat layer

Flavor Profile

bright, peppery heat that ramps up cleanly sweetly fragrant aroma before the burn crisp snap in the fresh pod lingering, slightly fruity chili finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime smoked paprika olive oil white vinegar cheddar

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat common pest or disease issues on Capsicum annuum (e.g., Red Marconi)?

Watch for aphids and flea beetles, which can stunt Capsicum annuum and leave distorted leaves; spray affected plants with a strong water jet, then use insecticidal soap if needed. Also monitor for fungal leaf spot—keep leaves as dry as possible, water at the soil line, remove badly spotted foliage, and ensure good airflow between plants.

What watering schedule and soil moisture level work best for Red Marconi peppers during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set (most of the ~75-day season), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for watering when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Water deeply at the base so moisture reaches the root zone, and avoid frequent light sprinkling that encourages shallow roots and more disease.

How can I tell when Red Marconi peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods have fully turned their mature red color and have reached their typical size and firmness for your plants. If you gently pull and the pepper comes away with little resistance, it’s usually ready; if it’s still pale or firm-green and feels thin, give it a few more days.