Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Chinese Giant
73-90 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Chinese Giant Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Chinese Giant are extremely large, almost squared peppers. The fruits are 6 inches tall by 4.5 inches in diameter. This variety has medium-thick flesh that is sweet and mild. The pepper is dark green and matures into a bright cherry red. ~5,000 seeds/oz.
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Growing Chinese Giant Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Begin your peppers in the early spring, about 8 weeks before the last expected frost in your area. This head start is important for peppers since they need a long, warm growing season to thrive. Start by filling small pots or a seed-starting tray with a moist, well-draining seed starting mix. Plant the seeds about a quarter inch deep, gently cover them with soil, and water them lightly. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place the pots in a warm, bright spot. A temperature of about 70-85 F is ideal for germination, which should occur in 1-3 weeks. If you're struggling to keep things warm enough, consider using a heat mat under your pots.
Once your seedlings have sprouted they will need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight. When they have at least two sets of true leaves, they’re ready to be hardened off. This process involves gradually exposing the seedlings to outdoor conditions over a week to prevent shock. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil, as peppers love the sun and need about 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Space the plants about 18-24 inches apart to give them room to grow and ensure good air circulation.
Watering is key to keeping your peppers happy. Aim for consistent moisture, especially as fruits start to form. However, be careful not to overwater, as standing water can lead to root rot. Mulching around the plants will help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. When the plants are about a foot tall, you can prune off the top set of leaves to encourage the plant to grow wider and bushier, hopefully leading to more peppers.
Peppers do well when planted near basil, oregano, parsley, and carrots. These companions can help deter pests naturally and may even improve the flavor of your peppers. However, keep them away from fennel and kohlrabi, which can inhibit their growth. Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and spider mites. A strong spray of water can dislodge many pests. Insecticidal soaps are effective, safe options for preventing infestations. Encouraging beneficial insects like ladybugs can also help control pest populations.
Peppers are warm-season plants and thrive in temperatures between 70-85 F. If temperatures exceed 90 F for several days, the plants may drop their blossoms and not produce fruit. In such cases, providing some afternoon shade can help protect them. As your plants grow, they might need support to keep them upright, especially as the fruits get larger. Stake each plant or use a small tomato cage to provide support.
Harvesting Chinese Giant Peppers
Chinese Giant bell peppers typically mature in 70 to 80 days after transplanting, but the best indicator is their size and color; when they've reached 5-6 inches in length and have a deep, vibrant color, they’re likely ready. Some gardeners prefer to pick them when they're green for a slightly crisper texture and more vegetal flavor, while others wait for them to turn red for a sweeter taste.
To harvest your peppers, use a sharp pair of gardening scissors or a knife. Gently hold the pepper in one hand and cut through the stem about half an inch above the top of the pepper. It’s important to cut the pepper rather than pull it; yanking can damage the plant.
About Chinese Giant Pepper Garden Seeds
With zero heat to speak of, these Chinese Giant peppers are incredibly large, maturing at around 6 inches tall and 4-5 inches wide. This variety has medium-thick skin and is delightfully sweet. The dark green peppers mature into a cherry red color.
Pepper plants are versatile in that they can easily be grown in containers, garden beds, raised beds, greenhouses, and even indoors. As long as they get the nutrients, warmth, sun, and water they need, they can thrive! Be sure to provide a minimum of 5 gallons of soil per plant, equalling at least 14 inches deep in order to accommodate the roots.
After the first harvest, continue to care for your plants by watering, fertilizing, and managing pests as needed. This care encourages the plants to produce new blossoms and, eventually, more peppers. Keep an eye on the weather. Before the first frost, harvest any remaining peppers, even if they're not fully mature; they'll still be delicious, though perhaps a bit less sweet than those allowed to fully ripen on the plant.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"If you live in a northern climate, a dark-colored mulch can help retain soil warmth and help the plants do better when the weather is bordering on too cold."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Chinese Giant Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 300mg - Packet- Approximately 50 Seeds
- .25 oz - Wholesale - 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
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 400,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Chinese Giant Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Capsicum annuum |
| Pepper Type: | Sweet - These peppers (think Bell Peppers) are almost all at 0 on the Scoville Scale, meaning that they have no heat at all. A handful of sweet peppers do register very low on the Scoville scale but are still classed as sweet peppers. For example, Pepperoncinis are sweet peppers but usually rank around 100 to 500 on the Scoville Scale. |
| Chinese Giant Pepper Color: | Green |
| Chinese Giant Pepper Flavor: | Mild and Sweet |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11. |
| Days to Maturity: | 73-90 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 12-18 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18-24 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range. |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers. |
| Pepper Pollination: | Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production. |
| Plant Width: | 18-24 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 0 |
| Heat Level: | Sweet - Peppers with no heat. 0-99 on the Scoville Scale. |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 76 to 90 days from transplant. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Pepper Use: | Stuffing, eating fresh |