How to Grow Orange Bell Pepper 'Big Orange'
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Orange Bell Pepper 'Big Orange'
Capsicum annuum
vegetableBig Orange is a large-fruited sweet bell pepper variety that produces blocky, thick-walled orange peppers on compact, productive plants. The peppers mature from green to a vibrant orange color and are ideal for fresh eating, cooking, and stuffing. This variety is known for its generous yields and disease resistance.
When should you plant Orange Bell Pepper 'Big Orange' in your zone?
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Example Orange Bell Pepper 'Big Orange' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Orange Bell Pepper 'Big Orange'
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 Orange Bell Pepper 'Big Orange'
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Orange Bell Pepper 'Big Orange' 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 zones 3-4 with season extension
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Get my Orange Bell Pepper 'Big Orange' timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings with first true leaves emerging; very delicate
Provide bright light (14-16 hours), maintain soil moisture without waterlogging, keep at 70-80°F, protect from drafts
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeks indoors; 2-3 weeks after transplanting outdoorsPlant develops multiple stems and deep green leaves; bushy compact form emerging
Maintain warm temperatures (70-85°F), provide full light, fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer, harden off before transplanting outdoors
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers appear in leaf axils; plant reaches full height and width
Ensure consistent watering and full sun; apply calcium-rich fertilizer to prevent blossom-end rot; maintain temperatures 70-85°F for best fruit set; avoid nitrogen excess
Fruit Development
3-4 weeksSmall green peppers form and enlarge rapidly; peppers remain green initially
Maintain even soil moisture; stake or cage plants to support heavy fruit load; continue fertilizing with balanced fertilizer; mulch base to retain moisture and regulate temperature
Maturation & Color Change
2-3 weeks per pepper; can continue until frostPeppers transition from green to vibrant orange; peppers reach full size (4-5 inches long, 3-4 inches diameter)
Reduce nitrogen; maintain consistent watering; harvest mature peppers or allow more to ripen for sweeter flavor; remove diseased leaves; watch for pest pressure in warm weather
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water jet, use insecticidal soap, release ladybugs, apply neem oil
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Increase humidity, spray with water mist, use sulfur powder, apply miticide if severe
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap, apply neem oil weekly
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Remove infested buds/fruit immediately, use pheromone traps, apply spinosad
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Maintain consistent soil moisture, add calcium (lime/gypsum), mulch to stabilize moisture and temperature
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryOrange bell peppers are sweet and mild with thick, crispy walls perfect for raw snacking, salads, and stir-fries. They can be roasted, grilled, stuffed, or added to countless dishes for color, sweetness, and nutrition. [source]
Vitamin C and antioxidant source
MedicinalOrange bell peppers are exceptionally rich in vitamin C (150+ mg per 100g) and contain capsaicinoids, carotenoids, and flavonoids that support immune function and reduce inflammation. [source]
Roasting and preservation
CulinaryThese thick-walled peppers are ideal for roasting over flame, charring, and peeling for use in soups, sauces, and preserved preparations. They can be frozen, canned, or dried. [source]
Garden ornament and color
HouseholdThe vibrant orange peppers provide striking visual interest in vegetable gardens and are attractive enough for ornamental plantings. The compact 'Big Orange' plant form fits well in containers and small spaces. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifePepper flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, supporting overall garden pollinator populations and improving fruit set. [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 green but are sweetest when fully colored orange (70-90 days from transplant). Cut peppers with 1-2 inches of stem using sharp pruners rather than pulling. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Morning harvest when peppers are cool maximizes crispness. Plants produce continuously until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Bell peppers change color as they mature—the longer they stay on the plant, the sweeter they become. Orange peppers are actually full-mature peppers that have spent extra time ripening compared to their green stage.
- 🌱 'Big Orange' is a determinate variety that produces a concentrated crop, making it excellent for home gardeners who want a bounty of peppers for processing or preserving all at once.
- 🌱 Bell peppers are technically fruits (berries), not vegetables, as they develop from the flower's ovary and contain seeds—though botanically classified as fruits, they're culinarily treated as vegetables.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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