Peppers
75-80days to harvest
7-14days to germinate
Z4–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
F1 hybridContainer friendly

Sowing

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant outdoors 2-3 weeks after last frost when soil is 60°F+.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1 inch per week, consistent moisture
Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil with organic matter
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
18-24 inches
Height
1-3 feet
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Green ripening to bright red
Size
4-6 inches long, 2-3 inches wide
Shape
Tapered bull's horn shape
Flavour
Sweet, crisp, and juicy with no heat

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, roasting, grilling, stuffing, salads, and stir-fries

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, cutworms
Diseases
Bacterial spot, anthracnose, blossom end rot
Resistance
Good resistance to tobacco mosaic virus

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
2April – MayJune – July—September
3AprilJune – July—September – October
4March – AprilJune—August – October
5MarchMay – June—August – October
6MarchMay – June—August – October
7February – MarchApril – May—July – September
8FebruaryApril – May—July – September
9JanuaryMarch – April—June – August
10JanuaryFebruary – March—May – July
11JanuaryJanuary – February—April – June
12JanuaryJanuary – February—April – June
13JanuaryJanuary – 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
MarigoldsRepel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent
TomatoesShare similar growing conditions and pest management strategies
OreganoAttracts beneficial insects and repels cucumber beetles and aphids
CarrotsHelp break up soil and don't compete for space or nutrients
OnionsRepel aphids, spider mites, and other pests with sulfur compounds
ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Avoid

FennelProduces allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development
BrassicasCompete for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition
Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that is highly toxic to peppers and causes wilting

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g)
27
Protein (g)
1.66
Fat (g)
0.45
Carbohydrate (g)
5.35
Fibre (g)
3.4
Sugars (g)
1.95
Vitamin A (µg)
17
Vitamin C (mg)
82.7
Vitamin E (mg)
0.69
Vitamin K (µg)
9.5
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.357
Folate (µg)
29
Calcium (mg)
14
Iron (mg)
0.46
Magnesium (mg)
17
Phosphorus (mg)
32
Potassium (mg)
256
Zinc (mg)
0.25
Selenium (µg)
0.3

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.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Sweet Pepper 'Carmen'?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Similar varieties

Other peppers with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Sweet Pepper 'Carmen' suits these too.

Browse all 73 peppers