Little Bells Sweet Pepper is a compact cultivar of Capsicum annuum bred for northern gardeners and container growers who want abundant harvests without sprawling plants. These bushy plants mature to just 24-36 inches tall and produce thick-walled, juicy sweet peppers ready to pick in 85 days. The fruit starts pale green with a complex, vegetal sweetness that distinguishes it from larger bell pepper varieties, then transitions to deeper colors as it matures. Its early maturity and heat-loving nature make it especially valuable for short-season climates where standard peppers struggle to ripen.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-11
36in H x 18in W
—
High
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Compact plants that yield generously in confined spaces, Little Bells peppers develop early in the season with flesh thick enough to satisfy even demanding cooks. The pale green unripe fruit carries a nuanced, mineral-edged sweetness entirely different from the candy notes of red bells. Whether grown in a 5-gallon pot on a patio or nestled into a garden bed, this variety rewards patient gardeners with reliable harvests in climates that challenge taller pepper types.
Little Bells sweet peppers work beautifully as whole stuffed peppers, their compact size fitting perfectly inside a single cooking vessel. Slice them raw into salads where their crisp texture and subtle flavor won't overpower delicate greens. The thick walls hold up well to roasting and grilling, and the early-season harvest means you can process them fresh or preserve them through canning before the growing season winds down.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow pepper seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date in consistently warm soil, ideally 70-80°F. A heat mat dramatically improves germination success, since pepper seeds germinate poorly in cool conditions; if you lack a heat mat, place seed trays above a refrigerator, near a woodstove, or in another reliably warm spot. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Expect germination in 7-14 days with adequate warmth.
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors only after nighttime temperatures consistently exceed 60°F and ideally approach 70°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. Space transplants 18 inches apart with 36 inches between rows. Dig a hole slightly deeper than the seedling's root ball and firm soil gently around the stem.
Pick peppers at the pale green stage about 85 days after transplanting, once they reach full size with thick, firm walls. Slice peppers open and flex them gently; they should feel crisp and substantial. For full color development and sweeter flavor, allow peppers to mature further on the plant, though green peppers are perfectly edible and flavorful. Use clean scissors or a sharp knife to cut peppers rather than pulling them, minimizing stress to the compact plant.
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