VegetablePepper
Nu Mex Sweet Pepper
Nu Mex Sweet Pepper brings together the best of two worlds: the iconic elongated shape and size of New Mexican peppers paired with a genuinely sweet, mild flavor that needs no heat tolerance. Developed at New Mexico State University, this open-pollinated cultivar matures in 90-99 days and grows as a compact upright plant reaching 18-24 inches tall, making it surprisingly adaptable to containers, raised beds, and traditional garden plots. Hardy in zones 4-11, it thrives in full sun and moderate watering, rewarding gardeners with high yields of zero-Scoville peppers that taste as good as they look.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
12
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-11
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The real appeal here is the breeding vision behind the variety: New Mexico State University deliberately combined the distinctive size and shape gardeners love about New Mexican peppers with genuine sweetness and zero heat. This is not a mild jalapeno or a hot pepper dialed back; it's a fundamentally different pepper engineered to deliver pure flavor without fire. Heat-tolerant genetics mean it keeps producing through hot summers when other peppers falter, and the plant's compact, upright habit fits neatly into containers or tight garden spaces without sacrificing yield.
Common Uses
These peppers shine fresh in salads and slaws, where their sweet flavor and substantial size make them more satisfying than smaller bell peppers. Roasting brings out natural sugars and deepens the complexity; the peppers' shape makes them ideal for halving and charring. They're equally at home stuffed with grains or cheese, grilled whole as a side dish, or sliced raw into salsas where their sweetness adds balance without heat. Dried, they'd likely be milder than traditional New Mexican chiles, making them useful in powders or spice blends where sweetness is desired.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Maintain soil temperature between 70-85°F for reliable germination. Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge, then provide bright light (grow lights or a sunny south-facing window). Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant outdoors after the last frost date when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 60°F. Space plants 12 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. Dig holes slightly deeper than the root ball and firm soil gently around each plant. Water thoroughly after transplanting and maintain consistent moisture for the first 2-3 weeks as plants establish.
Harvesting
Harvest peppers when they reach full size and develop a deep green color, typically 90-99 days after transplanting. Peppers can be harvested at the green stage for a fresher, slightly more herbaceous flavor, or left on the plant to mature fully (they typically turn red if left longer, deepening sweetness). Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut peppers from the stem rather than pulling, which can damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued flowering and fruiting throughout the season.
Pruning
Prune away the first flower clusters (appearing when plants are 6-8 inches tall) to encourage stronger branching and a bushier, more productive plant. Remove any yellowing or diseased lower leaves once plants are established to improve air circulation. Pinch back stems when plants reach 12 inches tall if you want more compact, branched growth; this delays fruiting slightly but increases overall yield.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Capsicum annuum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (NI)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)
History & Origin
“Nu Mex Sweet Pepper emerged from the plant breeding programs at New Mexico State University, an institution with deep roots in pepper development and a legacy stretching back decades. The variety represents a deliberate horticultural choice: rather than selecting from wild or semi-wild pepper populations, breeders crossed existing lines to create a pepper that would appeal to modern gardeners who wanted the visual drama of a New Mexican chile but preferred sweetness to spice. This cultivar carries the DNA of academic agriculture, designed in a lab and field-tested until it became robust enough to release to home gardeners.”