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Growing Lilac Bell Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

Once you have received your pepper seeds, a good seed-starting medium, and seed-starting trays, you are ready to begin. Optional tools that can improve success rates are grow lights, heat mats, humidity domes, and a spray bottle. Fill the trays with moistened medium and plant 2-3 seeds about a quarter inch deep in each cell. Cover the seeds with medium and water them gently but thoroughly. Place a humidity dome on the seed tray or cover the tray in plastic wrap to retain moisture.

Put the trays in a warm spot. The optimal germination temperature is about 85 F. Grow mats can be helpful in maintaining this temperature. As soon as you see even a hint of a little seedling poking out of the soil, remove the cover and ensure that the trays receive full, direct sunlight. Check the trays every day until germination occurs. Keep in mind that sometimes even a sunny windowsill is not enough light and grow lights are needed to avoid legginess. If the seedlings stretch out too much due to low light, they will not develop into viable plants to transplant into the garden. When all the seedlings have germinated, choose the strongest one in each cell to grow on. Snip off the rest at soil level.

Now it is just a waiting game! Provide your seedlings with full sun and warmth for the next few weeks. Water them regularly, and until they have 1-2 sets of true leaves, do not allow the soil to dry out. Once they have some true leaves, you can begin to allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. This will help to prepare them for the garden. When nighttime temperatures do not dip below 50 F take 1-2 weeks to harden off the seedlings before their final transplantation. This involves placing them outdoors for an increasing amount of time each day to help acclimate them to the outdoors and reduce transplant shock.

When all danger of frost has passed, and your healthy seedlings are sufficiently adapted to the outdoors, prepare the garden for transplantation. Prep the soil by mixing in either a high-quality fertilizer or compost. Ensure the soil is well-draining, in full sun, and has not grown peppers (or eggplants, tomatoes, or potatoes) in the last three years. Make holes 18-24 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart. Place the seedlings into the ground at soil level. Backfill the soil and lightly tamp it down around the plants. Water the plants well to eliminate air pockets.

Monitor your plants each day for pests and diseases. Proactive measures and prompt action are the best methods to avoid detrimental infestations. Water the plants regularly on an infrequent yet deep schedule. Mulch or grow fabric at the base of the plants can decrease weeds and water evaporation. Use dark-colored mulch or black plastic to increase soil temperature if you live in a cooler climate.

Harvesting Lilac Bell Peppers

Harvest when they have reached their peak size and desired color. They can be harvested at nearly any stage but will sweeten as they near their red color. Typical day to maturity is 70-80 days after transplantation but some growers have found it to take a bit longer than that. Slice the fruit off the plant 1-2 inches above the fruit. Harvest frequently to encourage more fruit.

About Lilac Bell Pepper Garden Seeds

These striking purple peppers are truly one of a kind! They mature from yellow to purple to red and have a deliciously sweet flavor that evolves with the color. Starting as a bitter, grassy flavor, the peppers ripen to a sweet and earthy taste.

Thanks to the striking purple colors of this pepper, it is considered a gourmet type, perfect for chefs, restaurants, fresh markets, or just the gastronomic home gardener!

With 3-4 lobes, they peak at around 4.5 inches long and 3.5 inches wide. The plants take little extra care once transplanted into a good spot outdoors.

To get the solid purple color desired by most gardeners, it is best if the fruits receive 8-12 hours of sunlight daily.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"According to my research, you either love these purple peppers or you hate them. They do have a slightly different flavor than other bell peppers. Try growing one of each color to try them all!"

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Scoville Heat Scale

Lilac Bell Pepper Seeds Per Package:

• 500mg - Packet - Approximately 750 Seeds
• .25 oz - Packet - Approximately 1,250 Seeds
• 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 5,000 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 20,000 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 80,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Lilac Bell Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.