Best Sweet Pepper Varieties to Grow

Over the years, I’ve grown dozens of sweet pepper varieties in my garden—some turned out to be reliable favorites, while others struggled with my climate and growing conditions. Through trial and error, I’ve learned which sweet peppers thrive, produce abundantly, and deliver the best flavor. Whether you want a classic bell pepper, an elongated Italian frying pepper, or a unique heirloom variety, choosing the right type makes all the difference. In this guide, I’ll share my top sweet pepper picks based on taste, productivity, and overall performance in the garden.

Table of Contents

1. California Wonder

If you’re looking for a classic bell pepper, California Wonder is a time-tested favorite. I’ve grown this variety for years, and it never disappoints. It produces thick-walled, blocky peppers that turn from green to bright red when fully ripe. These plants are compact, making them perfect for small gardens or container growing. They also have strong disease resistance, which helps ensure a reliable harvest.

Why Grow It?

Excellent flavor and crisp texture
High yields and dependable growth
Resistant to common pepper diseases like bacterial spot

2. King of the North

In cooler climates, some bell peppers struggle to reach full maturity before the growing season ends. That’s why I recommend King of the North for gardeners in short-season areas. This variety ripens quickly and produces large, blocky peppers with a sweet, mild taste. Even in unpredictable weather, it performs well and provides a steady harvest.

Why Grow It?

Early maturing—great for northern gardeners
Large, sweet fruits perfect for fresh eating or stuffing
Reliable yields even in cooler temperatures

3. Jimmy Nardello

For an outstanding frying pepper, Jimmy Nardello is my go-to. This Italian heirloom produces long, slender red peppers with an incredibly sweet, rich flavor. I love using them in stir-fries, roasting them, or simply eating them fresh. They have thinner walls than bell peppers, making them ideal for sautéing. Plus, they’re highly productive, with plants loaded with peppers all season long.

Why Grow It?

Super sweet, versatile flavor
Excellent for frying, roasting, and fresh eating
Prolific producer with minimal care requirements

4. Carmen

Another fantastic Italian-style pepper, Carmen is a hybrid variety that delivers reliable, high yields of long, tapered red peppers. One thing I love about Carmen is that it ripens earlier than many sweet peppers, making it a great option for gardeners in cooler regions. It’s exceptionally sweet, especially when fully red, and it’s perfect for roasting or eating raw in salads.

Why Grow It?

Early ripening with high productivity
Sweet, rich flavor with a hint of complexity
Disease-resistant and easy to grow

5. Sweet Banana

If you want a mild, easy-to-grow sweet pepper, Sweet Banana is an excellent choice. This variety produces elongated, pale yellow peppers that eventually turn orange-red when fully ripe. I’ve found them to be extremely productive, even in less-than-ideal conditions. They’re great for pickling, slicing into salads, or sautéing.

Why Grow It?

Very productive and adaptable to various climates
Sweet, mild flavor perfect for fresh eating or pickling
Grows well in containers or garden beds

6. Gypsy

Gypsy is another hybrid variety that has impressed me with its adaptability and high yields. It matures early and produces tapered, three-lobed peppers that transition from pale yellow to orange and then deep red. The flavor is incredibly sweet, and the plants are resistant to multiple diseases, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners.

Why Grow It?

Early maturing and highly productive
Sweet, crisp texture
Resistant to common pepper diseases

7. Bull’s Horn (Corno di Toro)

For those who love Italian-style roasting peppers, Bull’s Horn (also known as Corno di Toro) is a must-grow. These long, curved peppers develop a deep red or golden-yellow color when ripe, and they have a deliciously sweet flavor. They’re fantastic for grilling, roasting, or stuffing. I’ve always been impressed by their size and the number of peppers each plant produces.

Why Grow It?

Large, flavorful peppers perfect for roasting
Prolific producer with sturdy plants
Unique shape and color add visual interest to the garden

8. Chocolate Beauty

For something a little different, Chocolate Beauty is a stunning and delicious variety that produces deep brown peppers with a rich, sweet flavor. When fully ripe, they have a smoky-sweet taste that’s different from typical red bell peppers. I’ve found that they grow just as easily as other bell peppers and make a great addition to salads and roasted dishes.

Why Grow It?

Unique deep brown color and rich flavor
Thick-walled, juicy texture
Great for fresh eating and cooking

9. Mini Bell Peppers (Lunchbox Peppers)

If you love snacking on sweet peppers, growing mini bell peppers—sometimes called Lunchbox Peppers—is a great choice. These small, bite-sized peppers come in red, yellow, and orange and are perfect for snacking, stuffing, or adding to salads. They’re incredibly sweet and grow well in both gardens and containers.

Why Grow It?

Compact plants that fit well in small spaces
Super sweet and great for fresh eating
High yields of colorful mini peppers

10. Giant Marconi

One of the largest and most flavorful sweet peppers I’ve grown, Giant Marconi produces long, tapered fruits that develop a rich red color when fully ripe. These peppers have a smoky sweetness and are fantastic for grilling and roasting. They also have excellent disease resistance and grow well in a variety of conditions.

Why Grow It?

Large, flavorful peppers with smoky-sweet notes
Excellent disease resistance
Ideal for grilling, roasting, and fresh eating

More Sweet Bell Pepper Varieties to Grow

Sweet peppers vary in shape and color and include the slender banana pepper; the short, round cherry pepper; the small bright-red, heart-shaped pimiento; the multi-colored Italian frying pepper; and the blocky green to yellow to orange to red bell pepper. Sweet peppers can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled. Not all sweet pepper varieties are mildly flavored; some can be spicy and hot.

Blocky Sweet Peppers: ‘Ace’ (55 days); ‘Bell Boy’ (75 days); ‘Bell Captain’ (72 days); ‘Big Bertha’ (72 days); ‘Bull Nose’ (55-70 days); ‘California Wonder’ (73 days); ‘Camelot’ (74 days); ‘Elisa’ (72 days); ‘Emerald Giant’ (74 days); ‘Jupiter Elite’ (66 days); ‘King Arthur’ (72 days);’ Little Dipper’ (66 days); ‘Midway’ (70 days); ‘North Star’ (66 days); ‘Secret’ (60 days); ‘Yankee Bell’ (60 days); ‘Yolo Wonder’ (73 days).
Red Sweet Bells: ‘Cardinal’ (70 days); ‘Rampage’ (66 days); ‘Redwing’ (72 days); ‘Summer Sweet’ (76 days).
Long Sweet Peppers: ‘Banana Supreme’ (65 days); ‘Hungarian Yellow Wax’ (65 days).
Space Savers: ‘Baby Bell’ (55 days); ‘Jingle Bells’ (55 days); ‘Park’s Pot’ (45 days).
Yellow-Orange Sweet Bells: ‘Canary’ (72 days); ‘Gold Finch’ (72 days); ‘Klondike Bell’ (72 days); Orobelle (70 days); ‘Peppourri Orange’ (75 days); ‘Summer Sweet’ (86 days).
Heart-Shaped Sweet Peppers: ‘Pimento’ (65-80 days).
Other Sweet Peppers: ‘Blue Jay’ (73 days); ‘Chocolate Beauty’ (58-86 days); ‘Cubanelle’ (62 days); ‘Purple Beauty’ (70 days).

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right sweet pepper varieties for your garden can make a big difference in your overall harvest. I’ve grown all of these varieties over the years, and each one has earned a spot on this list because of its reliability, productivity, and outstanding flavor. Whether you’re looking for a classic bell pepper, a flavorful Italian roasting pepper, or a unique heirloom variety, there’s a perfect sweet pepper for your garden.

What are your favorite sweet peppers to grow?

Hot pepper articles: