How to Grow Cheerleader Pepper

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Cheerleader Pepper

Capsicum annuum 'Cheerleader'

vegetable

Cheerleader is a compact, ornamental bell pepper variety that produces small, colorful fruits that transition from green to bright red at maturity. This dwarf plant is ideal for containers and small spaces, combining decorative appeal with edible peppers. The fruits are sweet with mild flavor and excellent for fresh eating, dicing into salads, or short cooking.

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Example Cheerleader Pepper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Cheerleader Pepper
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Cheerleader Pepper
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cheerleader Pepper dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours ideal for better fruiting)

💧

Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 times weekly depending on temperature and rainfall. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate temperature.

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Spacing: 18-24 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days from transplant to first harvest

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Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seeds; transplant at same depth as container

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost aged manure perlite for improved drainage balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in zones 3-4 with season extension and frost protection

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with 2-4 leaves, pale green coloring, fragile appearance

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide 12-16 hours of bright light daily. Maintain temperature 70-75°F. Avoid drafts and temperature fluctuations.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Compact, bushy plant with increasing leaf production, 4-8 inches tall, develops multiple branches

Thin to strongest seedlings. Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions (hardening off). Maintain consistent watering and fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Pinch top if plant becomes leggy.

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Delicate white or pale purple flowers appear at branch tips, plant reaches 8-12 inches in height

Maintain consistent watering and steady temperatures (65-75°F preferred). Provide full sun exposure. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Consider light hand-pollination on cloudy days by gently shaking flowers.

Fruiting & Development

4-6 weeks

Green fruits form at flower sites, gradually enlarge to 2-3 inches, plant becomes increasingly productive

Water consistently and deeply. Switch to higher potassium fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-10) to support fruit development. Remove any diseased or damaged fruit. Support heavy branches with soft ties if needed.

Harvest/Maturity

4-8 weeks or until frost

Fruits transition from green to bright red, peppers reach full size (2-3 inches), glossy appearance indicates ripeness

Harvest green peppers any time for milder flavor, or wait for full red color (higher sweetness and vitamin content). Use pruning shears to avoid damaging plant. Continue watering and fertilizing for ongoing production.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Marigold Onion Carrot Spinach Lettuce Oregano

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Kohlrabi Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Apricot

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings.
Increase humidity by misting. Apply neem oil or sulfur spray. Avoid hot, dry conditions.
Remove and destroy infested fruit. Apply spinosad or pyrethrin-based insecticide. Remove plant debris after season.
Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Maintain good air circulation.
Maintain consistent soil moisture. Mulch around base. Apply calcium-rich fertilizer. Avoid excessive nitrogen.

Uses

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Fresh eating and salads

Culinary

The small, sweet peppers are perfect for fresh eating, dicing into salads, or using as colorful garnishes. Their compact size makes them ideal for individual servings or appetizer platters. [source]

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Stir-fries and quick cooking

Culinary

The small peppers cook quickly due to their size, making them perfect for stir-fries, fajitas, and sautéed dishes. Their thin walls allow heat to penetrate rapidly. [source]

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Container gardening and ornamental display

Household

The Cheerleader pepper's dwarf, compact habit and prolific colorful fruit make it an excellent decorative plant for patios, balconies, and indoor windowsills. The progression from green to red provides extended visual interest. [source]

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Vitamin C and antioxidant source

Medicinal

Red peppers are exceptionally rich in vitamin C and contain powerful antioxidants like quercetin and luteolin that support immune function and reduce inflammation. [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The delicate flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making Cheerleader peppers valuable for supporting garden ecosystems. [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 desired size. Pick green peppers anytime for milder, slightly grassy flavor, or wait 2-3 weeks longer for full red color and sweeter taste. Use pruning shears or sharp knife to cut rather than pull. Morning harvest after dew dries yields crispest peppers. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production throughout the season.

Fun Facts

🌱 Cheerleader peppers are among the most compact ornamental pepper varieties, typically reaching only 8-12 inches tall, making them perfect for small-space gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts.
🌱 The peppers change color as they mature due to the breakdown of chlorophyll and accumulation of carotenoid pigments, with red peppers containing up to three times more vitamin C than green peppers.
🌱 This variety is prolific, often producing 20-30+ fruits per plant during a growing season, despite its diminutive size.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Hardening Off Mulch Pollination

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