How to Grow Ivory Prince
Wikimedia Commons
Ivory Prince
Capsicum annuum var. annuum
vegetableIvory Prince is a sweet bell pepper cultivar known for its creamy white to pale ivory colored fruits that ripen from green. The plants are compact and productive, making them ideal for containers and garden beds. This variety offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor with tender flesh.
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Example Ivory Prince timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Ivory Prince
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 Ivory Prince
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ivory Prince dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; grows as annual in cooler zones, perennial in warm zones
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Get my Ivory Prince timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green cotyledons emerge, developing true leaves within 1-2 weeks. Plant is delicate with thin stem.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light (grow lights 3-4 inches above seedlings). Maintain 70-80°F temperature.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and branching stems. Compact bushy form with no flowers yet.
Thin seedlings to strongest plant. Harden off before transplanting outdoors. Transplant when 3-4 inches tall with 2-3 true leaf sets.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers appear in leaf axils. Flowers are self-pollinating but benefit from gentle air movement or hand pollination.
Ensure consistent watering and feeding with balanced fertilizer. Maintain warm temperatures (70-85°F). Prune suckers below first flowers if desired.
Fruit Development
4-6 weeksSmall green peppers form and enlarge. Fruits remain green for 60-75 days, then begin changing to ivory-white color.
Provide sturdy support or caging as branches may bend under fruit weight. Water consistently. Apply mulch to retain moisture.
Maturity & Harvest
Continues until frostPeppers reach full ivory-white color, 3-4 inches long. Fruits are firm and glossy with peak flavor and tenderness.
Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit production. Use clean knife or pruners to avoid damaging plant. Can harvest at any color stage.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with water, use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce predatory mites
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Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or introduce ladybugs
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Yellow sticky traps, neem oil spray, insecticidal soap, encourage beneficial insects
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Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, remove infected leaves, use fungicide if severe
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Maintain consistent watering, add calcium via crushed eggshells or lime, mulch to regulate soil moisture
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryIvory Prince peppers have a mild, sweet flavor with tender flesh that is excellent for fresh consumption in salads, sliced for appetizers, or added to grain bowls. Their pale color makes them visually striking in dishes. [source]
Roasting and grilling
CulinaryThe thin, tender skin and flesh of Ivory Prince make them ideal for roasting whole or halved, bringing out their subtle sweetness. They can be grilled directly or charred for peeling. [source]
Ornamental garden feature
HouseholdBeyond production, the contrast of ivory-white peppers against dark green foliage creates an attractive visual element in vegetable gardens and containers. The compact size makes them suitable for decorative landscape planting. [source]
Stuffing and cooking
CulinaryThe relatively large cavity and mild flavor make Ivory Prince ideal for stuffing with rice, grains, or other fillings. They hold their shape well during cooking. [source]
Container gardening
HouseholdThe compact, bushy growth habit of Ivory Prince makes it well-suited to growing in pots, containers, and raised beds, making this variety accessible to gardeners with limited space. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest at ivory-white stage for peak flavor and texture, typically 75-90 days after transplanting. Peppers can be picked green if desired. Use a sharp knife or pruners, cutting 1 inch of stem with pepper. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerate in crisper drawer for 3-4 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Ivory Prince peppers start green and gradually transform to creamy white, making them visually interesting throughout the growing season as the color shift occurs.
- 🌱 Bell peppers, including Ivory Prince, are technically fruits (berries) not vegetables, as they develop from the plant's ovary and contain seeds.
- 🌱 Peppers require warm soil and air temperatures (70-85°F optimal) and will drop flowers and fail to set fruit if exposed to temperatures below 60°F or above 90°F for extended periods.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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