Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Emerald Giant
77 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Emerald Giant Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, high-yielding, drought tolerant, sweet pepper with no heat. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Emerald Giant was developed in 1963. This huge pepper was selected for heavy yields and large, robust plant structures to support lots of peppers. Fruits are emerald green, thick-walled, and very sweet, 4.5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide. ~3,360 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Emerald Giant Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Start your Emerald Giant pepper seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. This head start is crucial for peppers, as they need a long, warm growing season to thrive. Use small pots or seed-starting trays filled with a well-draining, seed-starting mix. We recommend coconut coir. Avoid garden soil, as it can be too heavy and might contain pests or diseases. Moisten the mix slightly before planting to provide the ideal environment for your seeds.
Plant two seeds per pot, about ¼ inch deep. This ensures that at least one will germinate in each pot. Cover lightly with soil and gently press down. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place the pots in a warm spot. A temperature of around 70-80 F (21-27 C) is ideal for germination. Once your seeds sprout, move them to a sunny windowsill or under grow lights. Peppers love light, so aim for at least 16 hours of light each day for the strongest growth.
After the last frost date has passed and your seedlings are about 6 inches tall, they're ready to move outside. Begin by hardening off your plants: gradually introduce them to outdoor conditions over a week to prevent shock. Select a sunny, well-drained location in your garden. Emerald Giant peppers need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce well. Dig holes about 12-18 inches apart to give each plant plenty of room to grow. Emerald Giant plants can be planted a bit closer together than other pepper varieties which usually require 2ft between each plant. Mix in some compost to enrich the soil. Remove the plants from their pots, being careful not to disturb the roots, and place them in the holes. Fill in with soil and water thoroughly.
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during hot, dry periods. Emerald Giant is more drought tolerant than other pepper varieties, but it still prefers consistent moisture when possible. A mulch layer can help retain soil moisture and keep weeds at bay. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time, then supplement with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage fruiting. Emerald Giant plants can get quite large and heavy with fruit. Consider staking or using cages to support them and keep the peppers off the ground.
Watch for common pests like aphids, spider mites, and the dreaded pepper hornworm. Insecticidal soap can handle most infestations but always try to identify the problem accurately before treating it. Planting basil, oregano, or parsley nearby can help repel pests and may even enhance the flavor of your peppers.
Pruning is not strictly necessary, but removing the first flowers can encourage more robust growth and higher yields. Also, trimming any lower leaves that touch the ground can help prevent disease.
Harvesting Emerald Giant Peppers
Your peppers are ready to harvest when they're large, glossy, and a deep green color, typically around 77 days after transplanting. The fruits are emerald green, thick-walled, and very sweet, 4.5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide. Cut them from the plant with a sharp knife or scissors to avoid damage.
About Emerald Giant Pepper Garden Seeds
Emerald Giant was developed in 1963. This huge pepper was selected for heavy yields and large, robust plant structures to support lots of peppers.
This heirloom four-lobed pepper is perfect for stuffing with it’s thick walls, sweet flesh, and mild flavor.
Emerald Giant is resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus Disease and it is excellent for growing in the South. If you like California Wonder, you will love Emerald Giant.
These wonderful green bell peppers are ideal for growing in containers, garden beds, raised beds, greenhouses, and even 5 gallon buckets. It is drought tolerant.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"If you are afraid of infestations or not, I recommend checking the leaves of your plants everyday or every other day. Check the underside, the base of the branches, and any flower buds. Infestations can go from zero to a hundred surprisingly quickly. Check out my IPM blog for more tips!"
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Emerald Giant Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 250 mg - Approximately 30 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 3,360 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 13,440 Seeds
Non-GMO Emerald 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. |
| Emerald Giant Pepper Color: | Green |
| Emerald Giant Pepper Flavor: | Very 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: | 77 (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: | 12-18 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: | Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. 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, Container |
| Pepper Use: | Salads, stuffing, eating fresh |
| Climate Tolerance: | Drought tolerant |