VegetablePepper
Biquinho Yellow Pepper
Ornamental Pepper
Biquinho Yellow Pepper is a small-fruited, high-yielding cultivar of Capsicum chinense that brings Portuguese charm and bright flavor to gardens across zones 4 through 13. The name means 'little beak' in Portuguese, and these thumb-sized peppers live up to the poetic description with their distinctive tapered shape and sunny yellow color. At 30 inches tall and ready to harvest in 75 to 95 days from transplant, these peppers produce abundant clusters of fruit with a complex, fruity flavor balanced by just 500 to 1,000 Scoville Heat Units of mild warmth. Growing upright and compact, Biquinho Yellow thrives in full sun and works equally well in garden beds, raised beds, or under glass.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam, High Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
30 in
Height
24 in
Width
18 in
Spacing
75–75
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-13
Size
30in H x 24in W
Growth
Annual
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
These petite peppers pack serious flavor into their 1-inch frames, offering a distinctive fruity character with a subtle tart undertone rather than the straightforward heat you might expect from their Capsicum chinense heritage. Harvesting often comes in one generous wave late in the season, which rewards patience with abundant fresh or preserved fruit. Open-pollinated and heirloom genetics mean you can save seeds year after year, building a deeper relationship with this particular plant as it adapts to your garden.
Common Uses
These peppers excel in pickling, where their fruity flavor shines through a sweet and salty brine, becoming delectable appetizers and bar snacks. Fresh Biquinho Yellows work beautifully as pizza toppers, cheese plate companions, and components of Brazilian-inspired mezze arrangements. Their mild heat and distinctive taste make them approachable for fresh eating straight from the plant, while their abundant harvest suits batch cooking, preserving, and sharing with neighbors.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Autumn
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost, as peppers need a long growing season to reach full production. Sow seeds at soil temperature around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until germination and emergence.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Space plants 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart (some sources suggest 36-inch row spacing, so adjust based on your plot size).
Harvesting
Harvest peppers when they reach full bright yellow color and are approximately 1 inch long with their characteristic tapered, pointed shape. They are ready 75 to 95 days after transplanting. Peppers can be harvested at any stage of maturity, but full color develops superior flavor. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut peppers from the plant rather than pulling, which risks breaking branches. Expect a late-season flush of heavy production, so plan for bulk harvesting and preservation around that time.
Pruning
No pruning is required for Biquinho Yellow Pepper. Its naturally upright, compact growth habit at 30 inches tall keeps the plant tidy and productive without intervention.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Piper ponapense C. DC.
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Piper
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Upright
History & Origin
“The Biquinho has deep roots in Brazilian culinary tradition, where its distinctive tapered 'little beak' shape and mild heat have made it a beloved ingredient for generations. Portuguese in name and spirit, this pepper represents the kind of variety that traveled through seed-saving networks and home gardens long before it appeared in commercial seed catalogs, passed hand to hand among gardeners who recognized its culinary and cultural value. Its journey from Brazilian tables to seed companies like Hudson Valley Seed and True Leaf Market reflects the growing appreciation for heirloom peppers and open-pollinated varieties among gardeners seeking flavor and plant autonomy.”