How to Grow Dark Red Scarlet
Wikimedia Commons
Dark Red Scarlet
Capsicum annuum
vegetableDark Red Scarlet is a compact pepper plant that produces vibrant deep red peppers with a glossy finish. These ornamental yet edible peppers are perfect for small spaces and containers, offering both visual appeal and culinary use.
When should you plant Dark Red Scarlet in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Dark Red Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Dark Red Scarlet
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 Dark Red Scarlet
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dark Red Scarlet dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10 as a warm-season annual; can be grown in zone 2-4 in containers indoors or season extension
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Get my Dark Red Scarlet timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate stems, light green foliage
Maintain warm soil (70-80°F), provide bright light, water gently to keep soil moist, protect from cold drafts
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksBushy plant developing multiple stems and leaves, compact growth habit, 6-12 inches tall
Thin crowded seedlings, maintain consistent moisture, fertilize weekly with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10), ensure 8+ hours light daily
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white or pale yellow flowers appearing at leaf axils, plant may be 12-18 inches tall
Switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) to encourage fruiting, maintain warm temperatures (75-85°F), ensure consistent watering
Fruiting
3-4 weeksSmall green peppers developing at flower sites, gradually enlarging over time
Continue consistent watering and feeding, pinch off early flowers if plant is small to redirect energy, support branches if heavily laden
Maturation & Harvest
4-8 weeks (peppers can be harvested at any stage)Peppers transition from green to deep dark red, glossy skin, full size (1-2 inches long)
Maintain regular fertilizing schedule, harvest ripe peppers to encourage continued production, protect from early frost in cool climates
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap, increase humidity, introduce predatory mites
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Spray with strong water stream, use neem oil or insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs or lacewings
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators
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Remove affected leaves, use reflective mulches, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Remove infested fruit, use pheromone traps, apply spinosad or neem oil preventatively
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryDark Red Scarlet peppers are edible and can be used fresh in salads, sautéed as a side dish, or added to stir-fries. The mature red peppers offer a sweeter flavor than green peppers. [source]
Container and decorative gardening
OrnamentalThese peppers are highly ornamental with their compact size and striking deep red fruit, making them excellent for patio containers, windowsills, and decorative garden displays. [source]
Long-lasting dried peppers
HouseholdMature peppers can be dried for long-term storage and used to add flavor to dishes, or strung decoratively. They dry beautifully due to their firm texture and vibrant color. [source]
Capsaicin content
MedicinalRed peppers contain capsaicin, a compound with potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties used in traditional medicine and modern skincare. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe delicate white flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting broader ecosystem health. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Peppers can be harvested at the green stage or left to mature to deep red (sweeter, more nutritious). Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut peppers from the stem, leaving a short stub. Harvest regularly to encourage continued flowering and fruiting throughout the season. In cool climates, harvest all remaining peppers before the first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Dark Red Scarlet peppers are both ornamental and edible, making them double-duty plants for gardeners wanting beautiful gardens that also produce food.
- 🌱 Peppers require warm soil and air temperatures to thrive; they will not set fruit if nighttime temperatures drop below 60°F, which is why they're often started indoors in cooler climates.
- 🌱 The color transformation from green to red indicates increasing levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants—mature red peppers contain up to three times more vitamin C than green peppers.
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