Sweetie Pie

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Planting Schedule

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Sweetie Pie peppers arrive like little lanterns—sweet, bright, and aromatic, with a glossy skin that catches the light and a crisp, juicy bite.

This Cherry Pepper class matures in about 70 days, producing compact, upright fruits that are wonderfully suited to roasting for caramelized sweetness, as well as fresh eating for their refreshing crunch. Let Sweetie Pie star in vibrant sauces and quick pickles, where its gentle heat and candy-like flavor shine through.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Bush

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Sweetie Pie 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	Mar 30th	Jul 20th	Sep 28th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	Jul 14th	Sep 22nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	Jul 10th	Sep 18th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	Jul 8th	Sep 16th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	Jul 3rd	Sep 11th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Jun 29th	Sep 7th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Jun 26th	Sep 4th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Jun 20th	Aug 29th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Jun 15th	Aug 24th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Jun 5th	Aug 14th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	May 27th	Aug 5th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	May 18th	Jul 27th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Apr 6th	Jun 15th – 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	70
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

Sweetie Pie is built for eating where you want sweetness to punch through with a crisp, watery bite—then letting heat do the caramel work on the charred skin. Use it where it won’t go soft: blister-roast, quick pickle, or chop small enough to stay snappy on the fork.

Best Uses

roasting until blistered for caramelized sweetness
quick pickling to keep that snappy bite
finely chopped in fresh salsas and crunchy salad mixes
fast sautéing or skewered grilling for sweet char without mush

Flavor Profile

candy-sweet aroma crisp, juicy crunch gentle bell-pepper heat glossy skin with a clean, refreshing snap

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime feta olive oil balsamic vinegar chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Capsicum annuum (sweet cherry pepper types) and what should I do?

A common problem is pepper fruit rot (often linked with wet foliage and poor airflow) plus leaf spots caused by fungal/bacterial activity in warm, humid conditions. Remove infected fruits/leaves promptly, water at the soil line (not over the plant), and space plants for airflow; if it’s been consistently humid, apply a labeled copper-based fungicide/bactericide according to label directions. Also avoid working on plants when foliage is wet to reduce spread.

How often should I water Capsicum annuum during peak growth, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During the main flowering-to-fruiting phase, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy: water deeply about 1–2 times per week, then adjust so the top 1 inch of soil dries slightly between waterings. If you’re in hot weather or containers, you may need more frequent watering to prevent stress, but always let excess water drain to avoid root problems and blossom drop.

How do I tell when my sweet cherry pepper (Capsicum annuum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the peppers reach full size and develop their final color (often red for mature sweet cherry types) and the skin looks glossy and firm. Taste one to confirm sweetness—ripe fruits should be sweet rather than green-and-grassy, and they should come off the plant with an easy snap or gentle twist. For best quality, don’t wait for over-softening; pick regularly as they ripen.