How to Grow Lipstick Red Pepper
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Lipstick Red Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Lipstick Red'
vegetableLipstick Red is a sweet bell pepper variety prized for its deep crimson color and smooth, thick-walled fruit. The plants are compact and productive, making them excellent for both garden and container growing. The peppers develop their rich color and sweetest flavor when left to fully mature on the plant.
When should you plant Lipstick Red Pepper in your zone?
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Example Lipstick Red Pepper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lipstick Red 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 Lipstick Red Pepper
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lipstick Red Pepper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in zones 3-4 as annuals with season extension
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Get my Lipstick Red Pepper timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSeeds germinate in 7-14 days under warm conditions (75-85°F). First true leaves emerge after cotyledons; plants are tender and small.
Maintain warm, consistent moisture. Provide grow lights 14-16 hours daily if indoors. Keep soil warm with bottom heat if available (70-80°F soil temperature).
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeks after transplantPlant develops sturdy stems, multiple branches, and deep green foliage. Plants grow 12-18 inches tall with bushy habit. No flowers present yet.
Harden off gradually before transplanting outdoors. Maintain consistent watering and begin light fertilizing every 2-3 weeks. Support with small stakes if needed.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers appear at leaf axils. Plants may produce numerous flower buds simultaneously.
Ensure consistent watering and temperatures (70-85°F ideal). Avoid high nitrogen fertilizer; switch to phosphorus-rich blend to encourage fruit set. Light insect pollination or gentle shaking aids pollination.
Fruiting (Green Immature)
3-4 weeksSmall green peppers develop and expand rapidly. Fruit progresses from tiny pods to full-sized peppers with glossy dark green skin, usually 3-4 inches long.
Continue consistent watering (critical during fruit expansion). Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced formula. Prune excess foliage if fruit shading is heavy to allow light penetration for color development.
Fruiting (Red Mature)
4-6 weeks or until harvestPeppers transition from green to brilliant lipstick red color over 2-4 weeks. Skin becomes glossy and smooth with thicker walls. Peppers reach maximum sweetness and flavor.
Maintain consistent moisture and warmth. Continue regular fertilizing. Harvest peppers for eating fresh or allow to stay on plant for continued production. Remove damaged fruit to channel energy.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or strong water spray; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; use reflective mulches
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Increase humidity and air circulation; spray with neem oil or miticide; remove heavily infested leaves
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Yellow sticky traps; neem oil spray; insecticidal soap; reflective mulch deterrent
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Remove infested fruit promptly; sanitation of plant debris; spinosad or pyrethrin-based insecticides
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Row covers in early season; neem oil; diatomaceous earth; remove plant debris where they overwinter
Uses
Fresh Eating and Cooking
CulinaryLipstick Red peppers are excellent raw in salads, as crudités, or sliced for garnish due to their sweet flavor and crisp texture. They're also ideal for roasting, grilling, stuffing, and stir-fries, becoming even sweeter when cooked. [source]
Preservation
CulinaryThe thick walls make Lipstick Red peppers ideal for freezing, canning, and dehydrating. Roasted and jarred in oil, they create a gourmet pantry staple lasting months. [source]
Nutritional and Health Benefits
MedicinalRed peppers are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and capsaicin, supporting immune function and cardiovascular health. They contain lycopene and other antioxidants that increase as fruit ripens to red. [source]
Ornamental Garden Value
HouseholdWith their compact bushy habit and striking red fruit, Lipstick Red peppers serve as attractive edible ornamentals in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and container displays. [source]
Bird and Pollinator Support
WildlifePepper flowers attract bees and other pollinators essential for fruit set. The bright ripe peppers attract birds and wildlife, supporting garden biodiversity. [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 dark green stage (mature green, 60-75 days) for a milder, slightly grassy flavor. For the signature lipstick red color and peak sweetness, wait 90-120+ days and allow peppers to fully ripen on the plant (red stage). Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut peppers, leaving a small stem. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. In cooler climates, pick all remaining peppers before the first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lipstick Red peppers develop their color shift from green to red due to the degradation of chlorophyll and accumulation of carotenoid pigments, making ripe red peppers significantly sweeter and higher in vitamin C than green peppers.
- 🌱 Peppers are perennial plants in tropical climates and can produce fruit for multiple years, though they're typically grown as annuals in temperate zones; some gardeners overwinter them indoors.
- 🌱 The name 'Lipstick Red' derives from the pepper's deep crimson color and smooth, glossy finish that resembles the finish of premium lipstick.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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