Hungarian Yellow Wax Pepper

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Use warm soil (70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and keep it consistently moist until germination. Peppers germinate slowly, typically taking 10 to 14 days; be patient. Provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge to prevent legginess.

Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days. Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 18 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. Planting too early into cold soil will stunt growth; these heat-lovers thrive when the soil is genuinely warm.

Peppers can be harvested green or left on the plant to ripen fully to a bright yellow, at which point they develop sweeter undertones beneath their characteristic medium heat. Begin harvesting when peppers reach 5 to 8 inches long; don't wait for color if you prefer them green. Use a clean knife or pruners to cut peppers from the stem rather than twisting, which can damage branches. The plant will continue producing throughout the growing season, rewarding frequent harvesting with more fruit.

Minimal pruning is needed due to the upright, naturally compact growth habit. You may remove lower leaves as the plant matures to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure, but the strong upright form rarely requires significant shaping.