Garden Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Red Pepper, Red Cluster Pepper, Bell Pepper, Cherry Pepper, Poblano Pepper, Chile Pequin, Jalapeno, Turkey Pepper

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Common Name: Garden Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Red Pepper, Red Cluster Pepper, Bell Pepper, Cherry Pepper, Poblano Pepper, Chile Pequin, Jalapeno, Turkey Pepper

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum

Category: Vegetable & Fruit

Lifecycle: Annual

USDA Symbol: CAAN4

Hardiness Zones: 9A – 11B

Sun: Full Sun (6+ hours of sun per day) , High Sun (4-6 hours of sun per day)

Water: Medium

Soil: Loam

pH: Neutral (6.6-7.3)

Height: 1 to 4 ft

Spread: 2 to 3 ft

Spacing: 2 to 3 ft

Growth Rate: Rapid

Maintenance: Medium

Bloom Time: Summer

Bloom Color(s): Yellow, White, Purple

Leaf Type: Simple

Leaf Shape: Ovate

Leaf Arrangement: Fascicled

Leaf Retention: Semi-Evergreen

Fruit: Showy

Fruit Time: Summer

Miscellaneous: Monoecious, Native Plant

Propagations List: Stem Cutting, Seed

Plant Description:

The plant species ‘Capsicum annuum’ includes a vast assortment of edible peppers, most widely-recognizable for their use in culinary dishes world-wide. Peppers may range in taste from mild to sweet to extremely hot, and are available in a wide array of sizes and shapes. Native to the tropical regions of North and South America, peppers are frost-tender perennials within USDA zones 9-11. Aside from their far-reaching culinary value, all peppers are ornamental and make charming additions to sunny garden spaces. Most varieties of pepper plants mature to an average height and spread of approximately 3 feet in the garden, but may also be grown in containers. The small white, purple, or yellow flowers of the pepper plant are followed by green fruits, which gradually ripen into cheerful, bright yellow, orange, chocolate, purple, or red colored peppers, depending on the variety. Ornamental Peppers are varieties grown for especially for visual appeal rather than flavor. The rare, decorative, distinctively-colored purple or black foliage and contrasting fruit make this plant a truly outstanding garden specimen.

Propagation & Planting:

Pepper plants grow happily in moist, fertile soil with excellent drainage and require at least 6 hours of full sun daily. In extreme heat, the plant may benefit from some afternoon shade in order to prevent sunburn on the fruit. Peppers do not do well when evening temperatures dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and will refuse to grow in shade. Plants should be spaced 18-34 inches apart to avoid over-crowding. Peppers are most frequently propagated from seed planted in early spring after the last frost, but may also be grown from stem cuttings dipped into rooting hormone powder and then placed into a glass of water or moist growing medium until roots form.

Plant Care:

Peppers require moist, well-drained soil and full sun (at least 6 hours daily.) The plants should be watered at least once weekly, but in excessively-hot, dry periods, may require daily watering and a bit of afternoon shade. The soil should be allowed to dry between periods of irrigation. When the top leaves are regularly pinched, lateral branching is encouraged, thus giving the plant a fuller shape and eliminating the need for staking.

Fertilize:

Peppers respond well to the addition of organic matter or compost to the soil at the time of planting. A soil test may be conducted before fertilizer is applied to determine any specific lack of nutrients provided by the soil. After a couple of weeks, a water-soluble 11-3-8 fertilizer may be applied, if necessary, to encourage foliage to grow, according to the directions on the product label. Once the plant is full and leafy, a second application of 2-3-1 water-soluble fertilizer may be applied to help encourage the formation of fruit, making sure to follow the product label directions.

Prune:

Peppers maintain a more attractive shape when the top leaves are regularly pinched back, thus encouraging a compact, bushy form. Mature pepper fruits should be gently cut away from the plant, allowing their stem to remain attached to the fruit.

Pests & Disease:

In overly-damp, cool conditions or water-logged soil, peppers may be affected by fungal leaf spot. This may be treated with an organic fungicide, following the product label directions. If the plant develops root rot, the affected roots must be lifted and removed from the plant, leaving only the white healthy roots to remain before re-planting. Peppers also may be attacked by aphids, spider mites or whiteflies, which can be treated with an application of insecticidal soap or neem oil, according to the product label directions.

Attracts: