Capsicum annuum 'Cubanelle'
vegetableA long, thin, sweet Italian frying pepper with virtually no heat and a distinctive mild, sweet flavor. Pale yellow-green when immature, ripening to red. The classic pepper for Italian sausage and peppers dishes. Prolific, easy to grow, and productive all season. Also excellent raw, stuffed, or pickled.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~70 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
18-24 in
Planting Depth
1/4 in seed; transplant to first true leaf
Soil pH
6.0-6.8
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; side-dress with compost at first flower
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer at transplant; low-nitrogen formula once flowering
Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Transplant after soil warms above 60 F. Cubanelles are reliably productive and need minimal staking. They ripen quickly — 65 to 70 days from transplant — making them one of the faster sweet peppers. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Tolerates summer heat better than bell peppers.
Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Jul 8
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch deters winged aphids
Avoid overhead watering; copper spray at first sign; remove infected leaves
Row cover early in season; diatomaceous earth around young transplants
Rotate crops; destroy dropped or infested fruit promptly
Pick when pale yellow-green and 4 to 6 inches long for the classic Italian flavor and crisp texture. Allowing to ripen to red produces a sweeter pepper but fewer total fruits per season. Snap or cut from the plant. Refrigerate and use within 1 week.
Good source of vitamin C and vitamin B6. Low in calories and provides folate and potassium. Sweet peppers contain fewer capsaicinoids than hot types but still provide anti-inflammatory flavonoids.
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.