How to Grow Maassen's White
Wikimedia Commons
Maassen's White
Capsicum annuum var. annuum
vegetableMaassen's White is a heirloom sweet pepper variety known for its distinctive ivory-white color and blocky fruit shape. The peppers are medium-sized, typically 3-4 inches long, with thick walls and a crisp, sweet flavor. This open-pollinated variety is prized by gardeners for its unique appearance and reliable productivity.
When should you plant Maassen's White 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 Maassen's White timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Maassen's White
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Maassen's White
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Maassen's White dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, can be grown in zone 3-4 with protection
Sign up free to see if Maassen's White grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Maassen's White timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny seedlings with two cotyledons emerge within 7-14 days. True leaves develop slowly. Plants are delicate and require gentle handling.
Provide 14-16 hours of grow light daily. Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Maintain temperatures of 70-80°F. Avoid transplanting until 2-3 true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlants develop sturdy stems and multiple branches with dark green leaves. No flowers present yet. Growth is steady as root system expands.
Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Plant outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and soil reaches 60°F. Water consistently. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers with yellow centers appear at branch nodes. Plants may set dozens of flower buds. Foliage remains lush and green.
Ensure adequate sunlight (6-8+ hours daily). Maintain consistent watering—drought stress reduces flower set. Side-dress with potassium-rich fertilizer to encourage blooming. Pinch off early flowers if plant is still small to encourage branching.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green peppers appear where flowers were. Peppers gradually enlarge and change color from green to creamy white over 3-4 weeks. Thick-walled peppers are dense and blocky.
Continue consistent watering and fertilizing. Support heavy fruit with stakes or cages if needed. Prune lower leaves for air circulation to prevent disease. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Maturity & Harvest
Ongoing until first frostPeppers reach full size (3-4 inches) and display the characteristic ivory-white color. Skin becomes smooth and glossy. Peppers feel firm when gently squeezed.
Harvest peppers at white stage or earlier when still green for extended harvests. Use pruning shears to cut rather than pull. Continue watering and fertilizing for successive flushes of fruit.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybugs and beneficial insects
-
Increase humidity; spray with water mist; apply neem oil or miticide if severe
-
Use row covers on young plants; apply kaolin clay; use spinosad if infestations are heavy
-
Remove and destroy affected fruit; apply spinosad; practice crop rotation
-
Prune affected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryMaassen's White peppers have thick, crisp flesh and sweet flavor ideal for eating fresh in salads, on crudité platters, or roasted. Their unique white color makes them visually striking in dishes. [source]
Preservation
CulinaryThese peppers are excellent for freezing, drying, or pickling. Their thick walls make them ideal for stuffing and roasting, and they preserve well when canned. [source]
Ornamental and table decoration
HouseholdThe striking ivory-white peppers add visual interest to gardens and are beautiful when displayed in kitchens or on tables before use. [source]
Nutritional and health benefits
MedicinalLike all sweet peppers, Maassen's White contains high levels of vitamin C, antioxidants, and capsaicinoids that support immune function and overall health. [source]
Seed saving
CraftAs an open-pollinated heirloom variety, Maassen's White is ideal for seed saving. Gardeners can collect seeds from mature peppers to replant the next season. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pick peppers when they reach full size and white color, typically 80-95 days after transplanting. Peppers can also be harvested at green stage for extended production. Use sharp pruning shears to cut peppers from the plant rather than pulling to avoid branch damage. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production. Peppers will keep for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Maassen's White is a true heirloom variety that has been grown for generations, originating from European seed catalogs and prized for its unique ivory color that stands out among typical red and green peppers.
- 🌱 The white color of these peppers comes from the absence of anthocyanin and carotenoid pigments, making them visually distinctive while still containing excellent nutritional value.
- 🌱 Many gardeners grow Maassen's White specifically for seed saving, as it is open-pollinated and will breed true from seed, allowing gardeners to maintain the variety year after year.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Maassen's White planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Maassen's White seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Maassen's White timeline →