Grown Bell Pepper 'Sweet Chocolate'?

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Bell Pepper 'Sweet Chocolate' — Peppers

75-85days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z4–11USDA zones

Easy to moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant after soil temperature reaches 65°F and nights stay above 55°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture
Soil: Rich, well-draining loam with compost
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 1-3 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Dark chocolate brown when ripe, green when immature
Size: 3-4 inches long, 3-4 inches wide
Shape: Classic bell shape, blocky with thick walls
Flavour: Very sweet with rich, complex flavor and no heat

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, stuffing, roasting, grilling, salads, stir-fries, decorative garnish

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, pepper weevils, cutworms, hornworms
Diseases: Bacterial leaf spot, blossom end rot, anthracnose, pepper mottle virus
Resistance: Moderate resistance to tobacco mosaic virus

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	August – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor

MarigoldDeters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds

TomatoSimilar growing requirements and can share space efficiently, mutual pest confusion

OreganoRepels aphids and spider mites while attracting beneficial predatory insects

CarrotsLoose soil around carrots improves pepper root aeration and water drainage

OnionsStrong scent deters aphids, thrips, and spider mites that commonly attack peppers

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pepper pests

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting peppers

Avoid

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

BrassicasCompete for similar nutrients and may attract flea beetles that can damage pepper plants

Walnut TreesProduce juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in pepper plants

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g): 0.715
Fat (g): 0.106
Carbohydrate (g): 4.78
Fibre (g): 0.942
Vitamin C (mg): 99.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.247
Folate (µg): 22.2
Calcium (mg): 7.5
Iron (mg): 0.186
Magnesium (mg): 9
Phosphorus (mg): 16.8
Potassium (mg): 163
Zinc (mg): 0.126
Selenium (µg): 0

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the peppers growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Bell Pepper 'Sweet Chocolate'?

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