VegetablePepper
Peter Red Pepper
Peter Red Pepper is a distinctive hot pepper that deserves a spot in any adventurous gardener's plot. This open-pollinated heirloom from Capsicum annuum packs medium heat (10,000 to 23,000 Scoville Heat Units) into an unusually shaped pod that chefs and gardeners love equally. Growing 24 to 36 inches tall in an upright form, it reaches full maturity in 80 to 89 days and produces reliably across hardiness zones 2 through 11 with nothing but full sun and basic care.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
12
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
36in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Peter Red Pepper earned its name and reputation from its remarkably unique shape, which immediately catches the eye both in the garden and on the plate. Deer leave it alone, heat and drought don't faze it, and it performs equally well in containers, raised beds, or in-ground gardens. The combination of visual intrigue, manageable heat level, and genuine practical utility in the kitchen explains why this variety has become a favorite among seed savers and home growers who appreciate peppers that do more than just produce.
Common Uses
Peter Red Pepper works beautifully in any recipe calling for a medium-heat hot pepper. The distinctive shape makes it particularly appealing for fresh eating, whether sliced into salsas, added to stir-fries, or used as a striking garnish. Its heat level sits comfortably between mild and fiery, making it accessible to cooks who want flavor without overwhelming spice.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Keep soil warm (70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) for best germination. Maintain moist but well-draining seed-starting mix until seedlings emerge.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days before moving them outside. Transplant after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Space transplants 12 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart.
Harvesting
Peppers are ready to harvest when they reach mature red color and feel firm to the touch, typically 80 to 89 days after transplanting. Twist or cut peppers from the stem using pruning shears. Harvesting at the red stage captures full flavor development and maximum heat. You can also pick peppers at an earlier green stage if preferred, though they'll lack the full complexity of the ripe fruit.
Pruning
Peter Red Pepper naturally develops an upright, branching growth habit that requires minimal pruning. You may remove lower leaves once the plant is established to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure, but heavy pruning isn't necessary.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Deer ResistantEdible
Scientific Classification
Capsicum annuum
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (NI)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)
History & Origin
“Peter Red Pepper is an open-pollinated heirloom variety, meaning gardeners can save seed year after year and grow out true-to-type plants. Its exact origins aren't detailed in available sources, but its designation as an heirloom signals a lineage preserved and passed down through generations of gardeners who valued both its distinctive appearance and reliable performance. True Leaf Market, a respected seed supplier, has helped bring this variety to contemporary home gardeners who might otherwise miss out on its unique character.”