Sweet Cherry

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sweet Cherry Pepper ripens to a glossy, candy-bright cherry red that practically glows in the garden.

Its flavor is pleasantly sweet with a gentle, lingering warmth, and the fruit stays crisp and juicy—ideal for fresh snacking, vibrant roasting, and quick pickling for tangy-sweet relish-style results. Grow this 60-day standout for abundant, bite-size peppers that bring color, crunch, and a mild kick to every harvest basket.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 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	Aug 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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

These are sweet on the first chew but they don’t disappear—they hang onto a soft, peppery warmth with a crisp, juicy texture that keeps even when blistered. Because they’re mild and crunchy, they love vinegar and citrus and work as the kind of relish topping that stays bright instead of going soft.

Best Uses

quick refrigerator pickles for tangy-sweet snacking
shallow-roasted until blistered for caramelized edges
tossed into raw crunch salads or slaws
chopped into relish-style toppings for burgers and bowls

Flavor Profile

candy-bright sweetness crisp, juicy bite gentle lingering warmth peppery snap without harsh bitterness

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic honey smoked paprika feta chicken thighs

Frequently Asked Questions

Sweet cherry (Capsicum annuum): what’s the most common pest or disease and how can I fix it?

A frequent problem in Capsicum annuum is blossom end rot, caused by irregular watering that disrupts calcium uptake. Keep soil moisture steady—water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries, and avoid letting the soil swing from very dry to soaking wet. If you see early black, sunken spots on fruits, remove affected fruit and start maintaining even moisture right away; a calcium source won’t correct the underlying moisture inconsistency if watering is erratic.

How often should I water sweet cherry peppers during the main growing phase (for strong fruit set)?

During flowering and fruiting, water so the soil stays evenly moist but not soggy: typically 1–2 inches of water per week total, adjusted for heat and container size. As a rule, water when the top inch feels dry, then water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom (especially in pots). Inconsistent moisture is what most often leads to misshapen fruit and blossom end rot in Capsicum annuum.

How do I tell when sweet cherry peppers (Capsicum annuum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest at 60 days when fruits are fully sized and firm, and they have reached their mature color (often red or orange depending on your target stage). Pick peppers every few days once they start coloring—leaving them too long can reduce new fruit set. Snip or cut the stem with scissors to avoid tearing branches.