VegetablePepper
Emerald Giant Pepper
Bell Pepper
Emerald Giant Pepper is a heat-free sweet pepper bred in 1963 for heavy yields and sturdy plant architecture. This open-pollinated heirloom produces large, emerald green fruits on vigorous upright plants reaching 18-24 inches tall. Maturing in 70-79 days from transplant (or 77 days from source catalogs), it thrives across hardiness zones 4-13 and handles drought well, making it surprisingly adaptable for a large-fruited pepper. The plants were specifically selected to support abundant fruit production without needing excessive staking.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/emerald-giant-pepper)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Spacing
18-24 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-13
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Emerald Giant earned its name through fruits large enough to stuff and bold enough to fill a plate. Bred specifically for prolific yields, this pepper produces impressive quantities on robust, self-supporting plants that don't collapse under their own generosity. The combination of open-pollinated genetics, drought tolerance, and container-friendly growth habit means you can save seeds year after year while growing success in almost any setup from raised beds to large pots.
Common Uses
These peppers are primarily used fresh for stuffing and slicing, taking advantage of their large, thick-walled fruits. The lack of heat and sweet flavor makes them excellent raw in salads, roasted whole, or halved for grilling. The substantial size and sturdy plant structure also make Emerald Giant a natural choice for high-volume home production and preserving.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date in soil kept at 70-85°F for germination. Transplants will be ready to move outdoors after the soil warms and frost danger passes.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors once soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F and all frost risk has passed. Space plants 12 inches apart with 36 inches between rows for optimal air flow and fruit support.
Harvesting
Harvest peppers once they reach full size and develop the rich emerald green color, typically 70-79 days after transplanting. Cut (don't pull) peppers at the stem using sharp pruners to avoid damaging the plant. Peppers can be picked at the green stage for maximum yield, or left on the plant slightly longer if deeper color development is desired. Continue harvesting throughout the season to encourage continued fruit production.
Pruning
Light pruning of lower branches can improve air circulation and direct energy toward fruit production, particularly helpful for supporting the heavy pepper load this variety produces. Remove any dead or crossing branches to maintain the naturally upright, self-supporting growth habit.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 6.8
Scientific Classification
Piper longifolium Ruiz & Pav.
Family
Piperaceae
Genus
Piper
History & Origin
“Emerald Giant was developed in 1963, a deliberate creation rather than a discovery. Breeders selected for two specific traits: massive fruit size and heavy yields. To achieve this, they bred plants with large, robust structures capable of supporting abundant peppers without the usual sprawl and staking demands. This engineering approach shows in every aspect of the variety; it's a pepper designed for gardeners who want abundance without complications.”