How to Grow AU-Homecoming
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AU-Homecoming
Capsicum annuum 'AU-Homecoming'
vegetableAU-Homecoming is a sweet bell pepper cultivar developed by Auburn University, known for its exceptional flavor and disease resistance. This compact, productive plant produces medium-sized, blocky peppers that ripen from green to a vibrant red color. It's an excellent choice for both home and commercial gardeners seeking reliable, flavorful peppers.
When should you plant AU-Homecoming in your zone?
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Example AU-Homecoming timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant AU-Homecoming
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest AU-Homecoming
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact AU-Homecoming dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-10, but can be grown as an annual in cooler zones 5-8 with proper timing
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Get my AU-Homecoming timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seed leaves emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plant is fragile and requires gentle handling.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide warmth (75-85°F) and bright light. Thin seedlings if starting from direct seed.
Vegetative
4-6 weeks after transplantingStrong growth of stems and foliage. Plant develops sturdy branches and multiple leaves. No flowers yet.
Maintain consistent watering and full sun exposure. Begin light fertilizing with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 2-3 weeks once true leaves appear.
Flowering
3-4 weeksWhite to pale purple flowers appear at leaf axils. Flowers may drop if plant is stressed (heat, water, or nutrient stress).
Maintain consistent soil moisture and temperature (70-85°F ideal). Switch to phosphorus-rich fertilizer to support blooming. Hand-pollinate if bee activity is low.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green peppers develop from fertilized flowers. Peppers gradually enlarge to full size (3-4 inches long, blocky shape).
Continue consistent watering and fertilizing with balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer. Support heavy-loaded branches with stakes or cages. Maintain mulch layer.
Harvest/Maturity
Continuous harvesting over 2-3 monthsPeppers mature fully, changing color from green to bright red. Skin becomes glossy and slightly wrinkled at the base.
Pick peppers at green stage for continued production, or allow to ripen fully on plant for sweetness and flavor. Use clean shears to avoid damaging branches.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs or lacewings
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticides if severe; ensure adequate air circulation
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps
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Use row covers on young plants; apply diatomaceous earth; use spinosad if infestation is heavy
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil; vacuum pests off leaves
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryAU-Homecoming peppers are renowned for their sweet flavor and tender flesh, making them excellent for fresh salads, slicing, stuffing, or cooking. Their crisp texture is maintained when lightly sautéed or grilled. [source]
Roasting and preservation
CulinaryThe thick walls and meaty flesh of this cultivar make it ideal for roasting whole, charring skin for removal, and freezing or canning. Roasted peppers develop a rich, sweet flavor. [source]
Vitamin C and antioxidant source
MedicinalRed AU-Homecoming peppers are exceptionally high in vitamin C (200+ mg per 100g) and contain lycopene and other antioxidants that support immune function and reduce inflammation. [source]
Culinary decoration and presentation
HouseholdThe bright red color and uniform blocky shape make these peppers attractive for vegetable platters, table arrangements, and garnishing cooked dishes for visual appeal. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifePepper flowers attract bees and other pollinators during the flowering stage, supporting local pollinator populations and garden biodiversity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest peppers when they reach full size, either at the green stage for earlier yields or allow to ripen to bright red for maximum sweetness and flavor development. Cut peppers with a clean, sharp knife or pruners, leaving a short stem on the plant. Regular harvesting promotes continued fruit production. Ripe peppers store 1-2 weeks in refrigerator.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 AU-Homecoming was specifically bred by Auburn University's horticulture program to be particularly well-suited to Alabama and the Deep South's growing conditions, offering superior disease resistance to regional pathogens.
- 🌱 Sweet peppers are berries botanically speaking, and the 'hotness' in peppers comes from capsaicin—AU-Homecoming is a non-spicy bell pepper with zero capsaicin content, containing only the sweet sugars instead.
- 🌱 Allowing peppers to fully ripen to red on the plant increases their vitamin C content by up to 300% compared to green peppers, and also makes them 2-3 times sweeter in flavor.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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