Do I Grow Cubanelle Peppers Away From Sweet Peppers?

Cubanelle Peppers

• Most peppers are categorized as either hot peppers or sweet peppers, but cubanelle peppers exhibit traits of both categories. They are a non-bell sweet pepper, but may take on a mildly spicy flavor. Growers often pick cubanelle peppers before they are ripe, when they are still yellow. The peppers are often pickled or fried for dishes. They have a long shape and thin walls, holding less water than bell peppers.

Cross-Pollination

• Occasionally, planting different types of peppers near each other, such as a cubanelle near another bell pepper, may lead to cross-pollination. Usually peppers self-pollinate, but sometimes a bee might carry pollen from one plant and fertilize a nearby plant. Cross-pollination will not effect the flavor of the present crop, but can effect the characteristics in the seeds produced. If you plan to save these seeds for the next generation of plants and do not want the pepper traits to mix, then you might want to plant different pepper varieties away from one another.

Growing Peppers Together

• If cross-pollination is not a concern, then growing peppers close together can help the plants thrive. In fact, some garden experts suggest that peppers grow best when they are within touching distance of one another. This protects them from sun scorch by shading them from the harsh sun and retaining soil moisture. Plant cubanelle peppers next to sweet peppers of a similar height so plants do not out-shade each other.

Companion Planting

• When selecting companion plants, group plants together with similar growth needs. Cubanelle peppers and other sweet peppers need warm, enriched soil and plenty of full sunlight to thrive. They prefer a soil pH between 5.5 and 7. Other plants that grow well next to peppers include carrots, onions, tomatoes and peas. Avoid planting sweet peppers near fennel or kohlrabi or in a spot where tomatoes, eggplants or potatoes have recently grown.