Ace Bell Pepper is an F1 hybrid that lives up to its name with remarkable speed and productivity. This compact bush pepper reaches mature green fruit in just 50 days from transplants, making it one of the earliest bell peppers you can grow. Johnny's Selected Seeds developed this variety as an extra-early standard, bred specifically to thrive even in cooler climates where other peppers struggle. Its compact growth habit means you can tuck it into tight garden spaces while still harvesting abundant, full-sized peppers.
—
Moderate
?-?
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
Ace delivers results faster than nearly any other bell pepper, reaching harvest in 50 days from transplants with a highly productive plant habit. The compact bush form fits small gardens and containers while maintaining generous yields. Johnny's bred this variety to handle cold-season challenges that stop other peppers, with black plastic mulch and row covers significantly boosting both earliness and fruit set.
Ace bell peppers are eaten fresh, sliced raw into salads and crudité platters, or cooked in stir-fries, fajitas, and stuffed pepper dishes. Their early maturity makes them especially valuable for gardeners in short-season regions who want homegrown sweet peppers before autumn arrives.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds in late March, about 8 weeks before your planned transplant date. Space 4 seeds per inch in shallow flats or 20-row trays, pressing seeds 1/4 inch deep into moist seed-starting mix. Maintain soil temperatures between 80-90°F for best germination, as pepper seeds germinate very slowly in cooler soil. Once the first true leaves emerge, transplant seedlings into 2-inch cell containers or 4-inch pots. Grow plants at approximately 70°F during the day and 60°F at night until transplanting outdoors.
Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed. Ideally, select seedlings that have developed flower buds but no open flowers yet. Space plants 12 inches apart in full sun. Using black plastic mulch with lightweight fabric row covers supported by wire hoops significantly accelerates growth and fruit production in cool conditions.
Ace peppers are ready to harvest 50 days after transplanting. Fruit reaches full size and firm texture at the mature green stage, though peppers continue to develop color and sweetness if left longer. Harvest by cutting peppers cleanly from the stem with a knife or pruning shears rather than pulling, which can damage the plant.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Johnny's Selected Seeds developed Ace as an extra-early, highly productive standard bell pepper, specifically engineered to overcome the timing and weather challenges home gardeners face in cooler growing regions. The hybrid was bred to maximize productivity while shrinking the growing season, allowing gardeners in northern zones and short-season areas to reliably harvest mature peppers before frost arrives.”