Bonnie Original Sweet Cherry

Pepper

Zone 9a Save Garden

Botanical illustration of Bonnie Original Sweet Cherry

🌱 70d to harvest Bush

Sun-warmed and glossy, Bonnie Original Sweet Cherry Pepper brings a bright, candy-sweet snap with a juicy, thin-walled bite—fragr…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Jan 16th
Last Frost	Mar 6th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 1st
Harvest Begins	Jul 10th
Harvest Ends	Nov 26th

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Capsicum annuum (sweet cherry peppers), and how can I treat it?

Watch for aphids and spider mites, which often show up on sweet cherry pepper foliage and cause distorted leaves and sticky residue. Spray the undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap, repeating every 5–7 days until you stop seeing new insects. If you see leaf spotting that spreads, remove affected leaves and improve airflow; avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal spread.

How often should I water Capsicum annuum during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture should I maintain?

During fruiting, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for watering when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, with more frequent watering during hot, windy spells. Uneven moisture can lead to flower drop and misshapen fruit, so avoid letting the soil fully dry out between waterings.

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

Harvest when the fruits are fully sized and the skin has turned the expected color (commonly green-to-red as they ripen) with a firm, glossy feel. Taste-test a few first peppers; they should be sweet, not bitter, once fully ripe. For best flavor, pick every few days once they start ripening so the plant keeps producing.

Sun-warmed and glossy, Bonnie Original Sweet Cherry Pepper brings a bright, candy-sweet snap with a juicy, thin-walled bite—fragrant green at first, then deepening to a rich, ripe red. Compact and prolific, these petite cherry fruits hang like lanterns, offering a crisp texture that shines in fresh salads and quick pickles, and lends vibrant color to sauces and roasting trays.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 60°F and nights stay above 50°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 days first.

Expert Note

Start peppers indoors early, but only transplant once both frost risk is gone and soil is reliably warm (about 60°F+) to avoid stunting.