How to Grow King George Pepper
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King George Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'King George'
vegetableKing George is a classic sweet bell pepper variety known for its large, blocky fruits and reliable production. This heirloom cultivar produces deep green peppers that mature to a rich red color, offering excellent flavor at both stages. It's a favorite among gardeners for its vigorous growth and consistent yields.
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Example King George Pepper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant King George 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 King George Pepper
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact King George Pepper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; grows as annual in cooler zones, perennial in warm zones
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny emerged seedlings with first true leaves appearing; very delicate with thin stems
Provide bright indirect light or grow lights 2-3 inches above seedlings. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Maintain 70-80°F. Thin weak seedlings.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops multiple stems and broad green leaves; compact bushy growth 12-18 inches tall
Gradually harden off before transplanting outdoors. Wait until nighttime temps stay above 60°F. Plant in warm soil (at least 70°F). Pinch first flower buds to encourage branching. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall delicate white flowers appear at branch tips; flowers are self-pollinating but benefit from insect visitation
Maintain consistent watering—fluctuating moisture causes flower drop. Avoid over-nitrogen fertilizing which promotes foliage over flowers. Gently shake plants midday to aid pollination. Temperature between 70-85°F is ideal; above 90°F may cause petal drop.
Fruiting & Maturation
4-6 weeks to full red colorSmall green peppers form and enlarge; gradually transition from deep green to bright red as they ripen
Support heavy fruit clusters with stakes or cages. Remove some smaller peppers to allow larger fruit development. Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Pick green peppers once full-sized to encourage more flowering.
Harvest
Ongoing through seasonPeppers reach full size and desired color (green or red); glossy, firm skin with thick walls
Cut peppers with pruning shears rather than pulling to avoid damaging plant. Harvest regularly to stimulate continued production. In warm climates, plants may produce through fall.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge, use neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity
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Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, or release ladybugs
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Remove affected fruit, use row covers in early season, apply spinosad if severe
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, remove affected foliage
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Yellow sticky traps, vacuum insects, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Remove infected leaves, avoid overhead watering, practice crop rotation, use resistant varieties
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryKing George peppers are excellent raw in salads and fresh dishes when green, or sweet and rich when fully red. They're ideal for roasting, stuffing, stir-frying, or grilling due to their thick, meaty walls. [source]
Preservation
CulinaryThe thick-walled fruit is perfect for freezing, canning, or drying. Many gardeners freeze chopped peppers or roast them for storage. [source]
Nutritional and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalRed King George peppers are high in vitamin C, carotenoids, and antioxidants. They support immune function and may have anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Seed saving
HouseholdKing George is an open-pollinated heirloom variety, making it ideal for seed saving. Allow fully ripe red peppers to mature on the plant, then extract, dry, and store seeds for future planting. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe delicate white flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, benefiting the entire growing space. [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 once they reach full size (3-4 lobed blocky shape, typically 3-4 inches long) for crispness and mild flavor. Allow peppers to ripen to red on the plant for sweeter flavor and higher vitamin C content (takes an additional 2-3 weeks). Use a clean knife or pruning shears to cut the stem, leaving 1 inch attached to prevent plant damage. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous blooming. In cool climates, pick remaining peppers before the first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 King George is an heirloom pepper variety with a documented history dating back to the early 20th century, prized by seed savers and heirloom gardeners worldwide.
- 🌱 Pepper plants can live for several years in tropical climates and have been known to produce fruit for 3-5 years in frost-free zones, though annual cultivation is standard in temperate regions.
- 🌱 Green peppers contain more chlorophyll and are slightly more bitter, while red peppers have converted their chlorophyll to carotenoids and are 30% sweeter than their green counterparts.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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