How to Grow Sherwood Purple
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Sherwood Purple
Capsicum annuum var. annuum
vegetableSherwood Purple is a pepper variety that produces thick-walled, blocky bell peppers with deep purple coloring that matures to red. The plants are compact and ornamental, making them suitable for both garden and container growing. Known for its vibrant color and thick flesh, it's popular for fresh eating and cooking applications.
When should you plant Sherwood Purple in your zone?
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Example Sherwood Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sherwood Purple
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 Sherwood Purple
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sherwood Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown as an annual in cooler zones with proper timing
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Seedling
4-6 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, delicate and tender. First leaves are oval and simple compared to mature pepper foliage.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright light (14-16 hours daily under grow lights or near sunny windows). Maintain temperatures 70-75°F. Protect from drafts and temperature fluctuations.
Vegetative
3-4 weeks after transplantingPlants develop multiple branches and deep green foliage. No flowers yet; focus is on leaf and stem development. Plants reach 12-18 inches tall.
Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions (hardening off) over 7-10 days. Transplant after last frost when soil temps reach 60°F+. Pinch off early flower buds to encourage branching. Water and fertilize regularly with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
2-3 weeksPlants produce small white or pale yellow flowers at branch junctions. Flowers typically appear in clusters. Purple foliage becomes more pronounced.
Switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus and potassium) to encourage flowering and fruiting. Maintain consistent moisture. Temperatures ideally 70-85°F for good fruit set. Pollinate flowers gently by hand or rely on insect pollinators if growing outdoors.
Fruiting & Development
3-4 weeksSmall green peppers develop from flowers and gradually enlarge. Purple coloring begins to develop as peppers mature. Peppers are blocky and 3-4 inches in size at maturity.
Continue consistent watering and fertilizing every 2-3 weeks. Remove diseased or deformed fruits early. Support heavy fruit clusters with stakes or cages. Deep purple color develops fully over 2-3 weeks before potential ripening to red.
Harvest
2-3 months of continuous harvestPeppers reach full size with deep purple color (or red if allowed to fully ripen). Thick walls and glossy skin indicate maturity. Peppers are firm and heavy for their size.
Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Use sharp pruning shears or scissors to avoid damaging plants. Pick purple peppers for ornamental quality and slightly different flavor, or allow to ripen to red for sweeter taste. Plants remain productive for several months.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
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Increase humidity around plants; spray leaves with water; use miticide or neem oil if infestation is severe. Check undersides of leaves regularly.
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Remove and destroy infested fruits immediately; maintain good sanitation; use insecticide if population is high. Monitor buds and fruits closely.
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators. Reflective mulches can deter adults.
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Avoid overhead watering; remove infected leaves; ensure good air circulation; use copper fungicide if available. Plant resistant varieties when possible.
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Maintain consistent soil moisture and calcium levels; mulch to regulate moisture; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer. This is a physiological disorder, not a pest.
Uses
Fresh Slicing & Cooking
CulinaryThe thick-walled purple peppers are excellent for fresh eating in salads, stir-fries, and cooking applications. The walls are substantially thicker than standard peppers, providing more flesh and fewer seeds, making them ideal for slicing and stuffing. [source]
Color Enhancement in Dishes
CulinaryThe vibrant purple color provides visual appeal to fresh salads, crudités platters, and cooked dishes. Purple peppers contain anthocyanins that add nutritional value and unique color depth compared to green or red peppers. [source]
Container & Garden Ornamental
OrnamentalSherwood Purple is compact and highly ornamental with purple foliage and colorful fruits, making it attractive in containers, raised beds, or mixed gardens. The decorative quality makes it suitable for patios, decks, and visual landscaping. [source]
Drying & Preservation
HouseholdThe thick walls make Sherwood Purple excellent for drying whole or in strips for storage and later culinary use. Dried purple peppers can be rehydrated for cooking or ground into powder for flavoring. [source]
Nutritional & Health Benefits
MedicinalLike all peppers, Sherwood Purple is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants including anthocyanins. The purple coloring indicates higher levels of beneficial polyphenols compared to other pepper colors. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Sherwood Purple peppers can be harvested at the purple stage (typically 70-90 days from transplant) for maximum ornamental appeal and unique flavor, or allowed to ripen further to red over an additional 2-3 weeks for sweeter taste. Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut peppers from the plant, leaving 1/2 inch of stem attached. Harvesting regularly promotes continued flowering and fruiting throughout the season. Peppers will keep refrigerated for up to 2-3 weeks. For extended season, harvest before first frost or bring container-grown plants indoors.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Sherwood Purple gets its purple foliage and fruit color from anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds found in blueberries and purple grapes, giving it significant antioxidant properties.
- 🌱 As peppers mature on the plant, they naturally shift colors from green to purple to red, allowing gardeners to harvest at multiple color stages for different flavor profiles and visual presentations.
- 🌱 Pepper plants, including Sherwood Purple, are actually perennial plants that can live multiple years in frost-free climates; they're grown as annuals in cold climates but can be overwintered indoors in containers.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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