Sweet Banana Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana'
vegetableSweet Banana is a mild, sweet pepper named for its long, tapered, banana-like shape, ripening from pale yellow through orange to red and growing sweeter as it colors. With essentially no heat, it is a heavy-bearing favorite for fresh eating, slicing into salads, and pickling, ready in about 70 days.
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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
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Spacing
18-24 in. apart
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Planting Depth
1/4 in.
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Soil pH
6.0-6.8
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 every 4-6 weeks
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10
🌱 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, spacing plants about 18 inches apart in full sun. Give warm, fertile, well-drained soil and steady moisture, and feed lightly, since too much nitrogen favors foliage over fruit. The plants set heavily, so stake or cage them once loaded and mulch to keep moisture even.
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 whiteflies
- French Marigold: Deters nematodes
- Sweet Alyssum: Attracts hoverflies that prey on aphids
- Onions: Deters many flying pest insects
❌ 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
Plant sweet alyssum nearby; inspect leaf undersides weekly; attract ladybugs and lacewings
Row cover over transplants in early season
Allow enough foliage to shade developing fruit; plant in groups
🌾 Harvest & storage
Pick the peppers waxy yellow for a mild, crisp flavor, or let them ripen to orange and red for full sweetness, cutting with a short stem rather than pulling. The plants set heavily, and frequent picking keeps new fruit coming.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Sweet banana peppers are low in calories and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin B6, with some fiber, and ripening to red boosts 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.