Edibles – Vegetables – Sweet Banana Pepper

Sweet Banana Pepper

Botanical name: capsicum annuum 

Beginner friendly?:  moderate 

Average size at maturity: 2 ft in height and in spread 

Hardy zone: 9-11

Growth rate: reaches fully mature size in first growing season, annual crop in zone 8 climates 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: white 

Bloom time:  flowers spring-fall, vegetables for harvest summer-winter 

Pruning instructions: lightly prune foliage and branchy growth during the spring and summer months to maintain desired shape and size 

Propagation methods: propagate by seed sowing 

Landscape use: vegetable garden, container plant, porch accent, pollinator garden, culinary/herbal garden 

Special features: drought tolerant, repeat bloomer, attracts pollinators 

Light needs: 6 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2-4 inches of soil to dry between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use an organic fertilizer once a year in the early spring, feed with compost before planting

Best time to plant: spring 

Best type of soil: loam, sand 

Companion plants: rosemary, garlic, lettuce, clover 

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans, mildly toxic for pets if ingested in large amounts

Invasive species: no