List of Pepper Growing Times

Bell Peppers

• Bell peppers are large, rounded peppers that are generally harvested when they are fully mature, a process that takes about 70 to 75 days. There are many different color varieties of bell peppers, and these add unusual colors such as brown, purple, red, yellow and orange to such foods as soups, salads, sandwiches and casseroles. These peppers should be harvested when the fruit is 3 to 4 inches long and has attained the desired color. Depending on the variety, this may be anywhere from about 65 to 80 days.

Hot Peppers

• Hot peppers are similar to other peppers in that they change colors as they ripen, but they can be harvested at any stage once the pepper is large enough. The growing times vary quite a bit by the type of pepper. Jalapenos and cayenne peppers take about 70 days to reach maturity. Red chili peppers need considerably longer, maturing in about 84 days, and are often started indoors to be sure they have enough time to reach maturity before the weather gets too cold.

Sweet Peppers

• Sweet peppers have the same growing requirements as other types of peppers. They need warmth in order to grow well and stop growing if the weather is too cool. Under normal growing conditions peppers such as the sweet banana pepper only require 65 days to be ready to harvest. The gypsy pepper needs a bit longer, at 70 days, but still grows more quickly than many of the bell and hot peppers.

Harvesting

• Peppers can be harvested at almost any point once the fruit is large enough to use, often as early as 55 days. When growing larger peppers such as bell peppers or large banana peppers, this means when the pepper is about three to four inches long. Smaller varieties can be cut almost any time after the pepper is 2 or more inches long. Harvesting at different stages will result in peppers of many different colors, all of which are edible. The more mature peppers do not keep as long as the immature ones.