SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Christmas Bell

Pepper
Zone 12b Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Christmas Bell to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Christmas Bell
85d to harvest

Fragrant and bright, Christmas Bell peppers glow in the garden with a festive, bell-shaped silhouette and a crisp, juicy snap at first bite. “Christmas Bell” Aji delivers a lively, peppery warmth with a tangy, aromatic character that shines in fresh salsas and vibrant sauces, and it also roasts beautifully for a deeper, sweeter note. Grow it for its showy color and its bold flavor that keeps your harvest tasting lively from summer through fall.

Crop Dates

Growing note: Frost-free Zone 12b supports continuous outdoor production.
MilestoneDate
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Growing ApproachContinuous Production

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity85
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitUpright
Support NeededStake
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)75
Min Soil Temp (°F)60
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)10

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Christmas Bell in Zone 12b typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 60°F before transplanting Christmas Bell.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 12b supports continuous outdoor production.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Capsicum baccatum (Christmas Bell/"Lemon Drop" type) plants getting spots and leaf problems, and what should I do?
Watch for early blight or leaf spot, which can show up as dark lesions and yellowing leaves on Solanaceae peppers, especially when foliage stays wet. Water at the soil line, improve airflow by spacing plants well, and remove the worst affected leaves early to slow spread. If it keeps recurring, spray an approved copper-based fungicide according to label directions and repeat at the interval on the product (don’t use on very young tender growth unless the label allows it).
How can I tell when Christmas Bell (Capsicum baccatum) peppers are ready to harvest?
Harvest at about 85 days from sowing/typical season timing when fruits are fully sized and the skin has developed its mature color pattern (often moving from green to yellow/orange/red). Pick peppers with firm walls and glossy skin; if they feel soft or shriveled, they’re past peak. For best flavor and continued production, harvest regularly once they reach maturity rather than letting them over-ripen on the plant.
Botanical illustration of Christmas Bell

Fragrant and bright, Christmas Bell peppers glow in the garden with a festive, bell-shaped silhouette and a crisp, juicy snap at first bite. “Christmas Bell” Aji delivers a lively, peppery warmth with a tangy, aromatic character that shines in fresh salsas and vibrant sauces, and it also roasts beautifully for a deeper, sweeter note. Grow it for its showy color and its bold flavor that keeps your harvest tasting lively from summer through fall.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Christmas Bell in Zone 12b typically begins around throughout the growing season. Wait until soil reaches at least 60°F before transplanting Christmas Bell.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 12b supports continuous outdoor production.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 60°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Start Capsicum peppers indoors with warm soil, then transplant only when nights are reliably warm and soil is at least ~60°F to prevent cold stunting.