How to Grow Orange Princess
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Orange Princess
Capsicum annuum 'Orange Princess'
vegetableOrange Princess is a prolific bell pepper cultivar known for its vibrant orange fruits and compact, bushy growth habit. It produces medium-sized, thick-walled peppers that ripen from green to a brilliant orange color. This ornamental and edible pepper is excellent for both garden and container growing.
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Example Orange Princess timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Orange Princess
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 Princess
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Orange Princess dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-11; can be grown in cooler zones as an annual with season extension
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Get my Orange Princess timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-4 weeksSeeds sprout with cotyledons appearing. Seedlings develop their first true leaves and grow slowly initially.
Maintain warm soil (70-80°F) and consistent moisture. Provide 14-16 hours of grow light. Thin seedlings when 2 inches tall. Keep soil warm; germination takes 7-14 days.
Vegetative Growth
3-5 weeks after transplantingPlant develops sturdy stems and bushy foliage. Multiple branches form with dense green leaves. Plant gradually hardens off when transplanted outdoors.
Pinch back terminal growth at 6-8 inches to encourage bushiness. Gradually acclimate transplants to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Maintain consistent warmth (65-80°F). Begin light fertilization.
Flowering
4-6 weeksSmall white flowers appear at branch joints. Multiple flower clusters develop in succession, creating potential for continuous fruit production.
Ensure consistent watering to prevent flower drop. Maintain daytime temperatures of 70-85°F; nights above 55°F prevent flower loss. Light hand-pollination improves fruit set. Apply balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer.
Fruit Development & Maturation
4-6 weeksGreen peppers develop from flowers and rapidly enlarge. Peppers transition from green to orange as they mature, deepening in color over 2-3 weeks.
Maintain even moisture to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit splitting. Provide support stakes if heavily laden with fruit. Reduce nitrogen, increase potassium and phosphorus. Monitor for pests during this critical stage.
Harvest
Ongoing through seasonPeppers reach full size and vibrant orange color. Plant may continue producing new flowers and fruits if conditions remain favorable.
Harvest peppers using pruning shears or knife to avoid damaging branches. Remove spent flowers to redirect energy. Continue consistent watering and feeding to maintain productivity. Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit production.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings.
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Increase humidity and spray undersides of leaves with water; apply miticide or neem oil every 7 days if severe.
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Remove affected flowers and foliage; apply spinosad or neem oil. Use blue sticky traps.
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Remove infested fruits immediately; apply spinosad or pyrethrin-based insecticides. Maintain good sanitation.
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryOrange Princess peppers are excellent for raw consumption in salads and slaws due to their sweet flavor and crisp texture. They also roast, grill, sauté, and stuff beautifully, adding color and mild sweetness to any dish. [source]
Preservation and canning
CulinaryThe thick walls of Orange Princess peppers make them ideal for freezing, roasting and freezing, or pickling. They can be dried, canned, or fermented for long-term storage and use in various cuisines. [source]
Vitamin C and antioxidant source
MedicinalOrange peppers are rich in vitamin C (an antioxidant that boosts immunity) and contain capsanthin and other carotenoids that support eye health and reduce inflammation. Regular consumption supports cardiovascular and immune function. [source]
Ornamental garden feature
HouseholdOrange Princess is highly ornamental with its compact bushy form, white flowers, and brilliant orange fruits. It serves as both a decorative landscape plant and productive edible, excellent for decorative containers and border gardens. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe delicate white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators that improve fruit set and support garden ecosystem health. Allowing some flowers to be pollinated naturally often results in better yields. [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 peppers when fully orange and firm (typically 65-90 days from transplant). Cut peppers with 1-2 inches of stem attached using pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Peppers can be harvested green for earlier yields, but orange peppers have better flavor and are sweeter. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. Store harvested peppers in cool conditions (45-50°F) for 2-3 weeks, or refrigerate at 35-40°F for up to 2 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Orange Princess peppers change color as they mature due to increasing levels of carotenoid pigments; the orange color indicates peak ripeness and sweetness, making them 2-3 times sweeter than green peppers.
- 🌱 This cultivar is particularly popular in European ornamental vegetable gardening and was bred specifically for compact container growth, making it ideal for balconies, patios, and small garden spaces.
- 🌱 A single Orange Princess plant can produce 20-40+ peppers per season in ideal growing conditions, and the plant can remain productive for 2-3 seasons if protected from frost and given proper care.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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