How to Grow Chief Scarlet Pepper
Chief Scarlet Pepper
Capsicum annuum
vegetableChief Scarlet is a compact, determinate bell pepper variety prized for its early maturity and abundant production of glossy, deep red peppers. These blocky, thick-walled fruits are ideal for fresh eating, cooking, and stuffing. The plant's bushy, ornamental growth habit makes it suitable for containers and small garden spaces.
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Example Chief Scarlet Pepper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Chief Scarlet Pepper
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 Chief Scarlet Pepper
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Chief Scarlet Pepper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown as an annual in cooler zones with season extension
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Seedling (indoors)
4-6 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves emerging from cotyledons
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Maintain 70-80°F soil temperature. Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Keep soil consistently moist.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksCompact, bushy plant with multiple stems developing; lush green foliage
Transplant outdoors after last frost when soil is warm (60°F+). Pinch off early flowers to encourage branching. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall white flowers appear at leaf nodes; plant becomes densely flowered
Maintain consistent watering and warmth (70-85°F). Begin feeding with phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote fruit set. Ensure good air circulation.
Fruit Development
3-4 weeksGreen peppers form and gradually enlarge to mature blocky shape
Continue consistent watering; drought stress causes fruit drop and poor development. Support branches with stakes if heavily laden. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer.
Ripening to Red
2-3 weeks per fruitPeppers transition from green to deep scarlet red; walls thicken and sweeten
Maintain steady water and warmth. Peppers can be harvested green or left on plant to mature fully to red (which takes 2-3 weeks longer but increases sweetness and vitamin C).
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Increase humidity; spray leaves with water; neem oil; sulfur dust (avoid in high heat)
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Remove infested fruit immediately; apply spinosad; rotate crops; practice sanitation
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Yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch; insecticidal soap; neem oil
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Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryRed Chief Scarlet peppers have sweet, mild flavor ideal for fresh consumption in salads, slaws, and snacking. Their thick walls make them excellent for cutting into strips without damage. [source]
Roasting and cooking
CulinaryThe substantial flesh and high sugar content make these peppers excellent for roasting, grilling, sautéing, and stuffing. They caramelize beautifully when cooked. [source]
Vitamin C and antioxidants
MedicinalRed peppers are rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, and flavonoids that support immune function and reduce inflammation. Ripe red peppers contain significantly more vitamin C than green varieties. [source]
Ornamental container gardening
HouseholdChief Scarlet's compact, bushy growth and prolific fruiting make it attractive in containers and small garden spaces. The progression from green to bright red peppers provides visual interest throughout the season. [source]
Food preservation
CraftRed peppers can be dried, roasted and frozen, pickled, or made into pepper flakes, sauce, and paste for long-term storage and culinary use. [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 green peppers when full-sized (3-4 inches long); for red peppers, wait 2-3 additional weeks after turning fully scarlet. Cut with a knife or pruning shears rather than pulling to avoid damaging branches. Harvesting regularly encourages continued production throughout the season. Chief Scarlet typically produces prolifically over 3-4 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Chief Scarlet peppers are actually fruits, not vegetables, as they develop from the flower's ovary and contain seeds—the 'vegetable' classification is culinary rather than botanical.
- 🌱 It takes about 150 days from seed to mature red fruit, making Chief Scarlet one of the faster-maturing red bell pepper varieties, which is why it's particularly valued in short-season growing regions.
- 🌱 The transition from green to red involves the breakdown of chlorophyll and accumulation of carotenoid pigments; red peppers typically have 1.5-3 times more vitamin C than green peppers.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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