Banana Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Banana'
vegetableThe banana pepper is a mild, elongated, waxy yellow pepper that ripens through orange to red and grows sweeter as it colors. With little to no heat, from zero to about 500 Scoville units, it is a heavy-bearing favorite for fresh eating, stuffing, and especially pickling for sandwiches and salads.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~70 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
↔️
Spacing
18-24 in. apart
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Planting Depth
1/4 in.
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Soil pH
5.5-6.8
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 11
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At transplant, then lightly after fruit set
Fertilizer
Balanced 5-10-10, low nitrogen
🌱 Growing Guide
Start seed indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant only after the soil reaches 65F and nights stay above 55F. Space plants about 18 inches apart in full sun, water evenly, and feed lightly, since too much nitrogen favors foliage over fruit. Plants heavy with pods benefit from staking, and fruit is ready roughly 70 days after transplanting.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first harvest
Jul 8
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Basil — Repels aphids and thrips
- Sweet Alyssum — Draws aphid-eating hoverflies
- French Marigold — Deters nematodes and aphids
- Onions — Scent helps mask plants from aphids
❌ Keep away from
FennelBrassicas
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Encourage hoverflies and ladybugs with flowering companions; rinse colonies off
Float row cover over young transplants
Keep moisture even and mulch
🌾 Harvest & storage
Pick pods pale yellow for the mildest, crispest flavor, or let them ripen to orange and red for more sweetness; frequent picking keeps the plant producing. Cut pods with a short stem rather than pulling.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Banana peppers are low in calories and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin B6, with some fiber; ripening to red increases their vitamin A and C content.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.