Merlot Pepper is an F1 hybrid that delivers thick-walled, sweet peppers in 60 to 69 days from transplant, thriving across hardiness zones 4 through 13. This non-GMO annual grows as a compact upright plant reaching 18 to 24 inches tall, making it equally at home in containers, raised beds, or garden plots. With zero heat (0 Scoville units), it's a pure sweet pepper bred to set fruit reliably in both cool weather and hot, humid conditions, offering gardeners flexibility regardless of their regional climate.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-13
24in H x ?in W
—
High
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The real standout here is Merlot's ability to flower and fruit consistently across a wide temperature range, from cool springs to sweltering summers. High-quality thick walls make these peppers substantial and satisfying to harvest, while the compact upright growth habit means you can fit more plants in less space. It's a drought-tolerant variety that adapts beautifully to many growing regions, and its resistance to Bacterial Leaf Spot and Tobacco Mosaic Virus removes two of the most common pepper headaches from your growing season.
Merlot peppers are used fresh in salads, sliced raw for snacking, or stuffed whole for roasting and grilling. Their thick walls hold up beautifully to cooking, making them excellent for sautéing, stewing, or charring over flame. The sweet, mild character suits them to both everyday eating and preserving through freezing or canning.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost in soil kept at 70 to 85°F. Merlot germinates best in warm conditions, so consider using a heat mat to maintain consistent warmth. Keep seedlings under grow lights and maintain soil moisture without waterlogging.
Transplant outdoors after your last frost date when both soil and air temperatures remain above 60°F; ideally wait for consistently warm nights above 70°F for strongest establishment. Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor sun and wind. Space plants 18 inches apart with rows 36 inches apart.
Merlot peppers reach full maturity in 60 to 69 days from transplant. Harvest peppers when they've reached full size and the skin is thick and firm to the touch; they can be picked at the immature green stage or left to develop their deeper color. Clip peppers from the plant with a sharp knife or pruners rather than tugging them off by hand, which can damage branches. Regular harvesting encourages continued flowering throughout the season.
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