How to Grow Sweet Scarlet
Wikimedia Commons
Sweet Scarlet
Capsicum annuum var. annuum
vegetableSweet Scarlet is a vibrant red bell pepper variety known for its bright scarlet color, sweet flavor, and compact plant growth. It produces medium-sized peppers that mature from green to a brilliant red, making it both ornamental and culinary. This variety is popular for home gardeners seeking early maturity and reliable yields.
When should you plant Sweet Scarlet 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 Sweet Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Sweet Scarlet
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Sweet Scarlet
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Scarlet 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 with extended season or season extension techniques
Sign up free to see if Sweet Scarlet grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Sweet Scarlet timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with two cotyledons (seed leaves). True leaves develop slowly. Plant is very tender and susceptible to damping-off.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light 14-16 hours daily under grow lights or in a sunny window. Maintain 70-80°F. Thin seedlings to strongest specimens.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeks from seed, or 3-4 weeks after transplantingPlant develops multiple sets of true leaves and a stronger stem system. Grows to 12-18 inches tall with a bushy habit. No flowers yet.
Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions (harden off) over 7-10 days before transplanting. Plant outdoors after last frost when soil is 60°F+. Provide consistent water and warmth (70-85°F). Stake or support if needed as plant fills out.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall white or pale yellow flowers appear in leaf axils and branch tips. Plant may have multiple flower clusters forming simultaneously.
Maintain consistent watering; do not let soil dry out, as this causes flower drop. Apply balanced fertilizer (higher phosphorus) every 2 weeks to encourage fruiting. Ensure adequate sunlight and warmth (75-85°F). Hand-pollinate with a small brush if bees are not active.
Fruiting & Maturation
4-6 weeks per pepperFlowers develop into small green peppers that gradually enlarge. Green peppers mature to bright scarlet red over 3-4 weeks. Plant may carry multiple fruits at various stages.
Continue consistent deep watering to prevent cracking and blossom-end rot. Apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. Feed with balanced or slightly higher potassium fertilizer. Prune lower leaves if needed for air circulation.
Harvest & Late Season
Until frostPeppers reach full size and brilliant scarlet color. Plant continues producing new flowers and fruit through frost date.
Harvest peppers when red and firm by cutting with scissors or pruners to avoid plant damage. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued production. In fall, watch for first frost and harvest all remaining fruit.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days if infestation is severe. Increase humidity and maintain proper plant spacing for air circulation.
-
Spray with neem oil, insecticidal soap, or pyrethrin. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings. Remove affected leaves if population is small.
-
Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and control. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Introduce parasitic wasps as biological control.
-
Remove infested fruit and destroy. Use row covers early in season. Apply spinosad or pyrethrin-based insecticides. Crop rotation is essential.
-
Use reflective mulches to repel. Spray with neem oil or spinosad. Remove and destroy heavily infested plant parts.
-
Maintain consistent soil moisture and calcium levels. Add crushed eggshells, gypsum, or lime to soil before planting. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
Uses
Fresh Eating & Salads
CulinarySweet Scarlet peppers are excellent sliced fresh in salads, eaten raw as a crunchy snack, or served with hummus and dip. Their sweet flavor and crisp texture make them a favorite for appetizer platters. [source]
Cooking & Roasting
CulinaryThe peppers are ideal for roasting, grilling, sautéing, and inclusion in stir-fries, fajitas, and pasta dishes. Their tender skin becomes sweet and slightly smoky when roasted. [source]
Vitamin C & Antioxidants
MedicinalRed peppers are one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C and contain powerful antioxidants including quercetin and capsanthin. Regular consumption supports immune function and heart health. [source]
Preservation & Storage
HouseholdPeppers can be dried, frozen, canned, or fermented for long-term storage. Whole peppers store well in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, or can be roasted and frozen for winter use. [source]
Ornamental Garden Value
WildlifeThe glossy scarlet fruit and abundant flowers attract pollinators and hummingbirds, making Sweet Scarlet a beautiful addition to edible landscaping that supports beneficial insects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Sweet Scarlet peppers can be harvested green (after about 60-70 days) or allowed to fully mature to bright red (80-90 days) for sweeter flavor and better nutritional content. Cut peppers from the plant with pruning shears or a sharp knife, leaving a short stem stub, rather than pulling to avoid damaging the plant. Continue harvesting mature peppers regularly to encourage ongoing production. In late season, harvest all remaining fruit before the first frost, and green peppers will continue to ripen indoors in a paper bag at room temperature.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Sweet Scarlet is a compact, prolific producer bred for early maturity, making it ideal for short growing seasons and containers. A single plant can produce 20-30+ peppers in a season.
- 🌱 Red peppers are actually mature green peppers that have been allowed to ripen on the plant for an additional 3-4 weeks. The longer ripening process develops their signature sweetness and increases vitamin C content by up to 300% compared to green peppers.
- 🌱 Bell peppers are technically berries botanically, as they develop from the flower's ovary and contain seeds. The hollow interior is actually an air chamber in the fruit's development.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Sweet Scarlet planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Sweet Scarlet 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 Sweet Scarlet timeline →