Cubanelle Sweet Peppers on a white background.
Sweet Pepper Seeds, Cubanelle
Cubanelle Peppers stuffed on two tone plate.
Cubanelle Peppers in orange and red being held outside.
Red and yellow Cubanelle peppers on wooden table.
Cubanelle Sweet Peppers on a white background.
Sweet Pepper Seeds, Cubanelle
Cubanelle Peppers stuffed on two tone plate.
Cubanelle Peppers in orange and red being held outside.
Red and yellow Cubanelle peppers on wooden table.

Sweet Pepper Seeds,
Cubanelle

4.713 Reviews#PP115 · 25 seeds
Price
Regular price $3.50
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Description

(Capsicum annuum). Also known as “Cuban pepper,” the Cubanelle is a variety of sweet pepper commonly used in Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican cuisine. Many cooks prefer it to bell types. Sweet Cubanelle peppers can sometimes be slightly hot, but with only a touch of heat. This 6- to 8-inch pepper is prized for its sweet, mild flesh, rich flavor, and pretty colors. The thin-walled pepper is especially suited for quick cooking and has a low water content. Best picked when yellow-green for use in roasting, stuffing, as a pizza topping, for frying, a substitute for Anaheim peppers, or in a yellow mole sauce, and is one of the traditional ingredients in sofrito. They can also be left to mature and harvested when bright orange-red. In the garden, in addition to their famed taste and colors, the Cubanelle peppers are also known for their unique, imperfectly curled, wrinkled, and twisted shapes—no two seem to ever be alike.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Capsicum annuum
Life Cycle
Perennial in frost free zones; grown as an annual elsewhere.
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
7–14
Days to Maturity
65–75
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
18–24 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–85°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last expected frost. Transplant outdoors when soil temperatures reach 65°F and nighttime temperatures remain above 60°F. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

How to Sow and Plant

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix and maintain a soil temperature of 75–85°F for ideal germination. Keep the soil evenly moist. Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, transplant into larger pots and provide bright light until conditions allow for outdoor transplanting.

How to Grow

Transplant into full sun in fertile, compost-amended soil. Space plants 18–24 inches apart and water deeply on a consistent schedule. Use mulch to stabilize soil moisture and temperature. Fertilize every 3–4 weeks and support plants with stakes if needed due to high fruit yield.

How to Save Seeds

  • Choose fully ripe, red fruits from healthy, true-to-type plants.
  • Cut open the pepper and remove seeds.
  • Spread seeds on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight.
  • Stir daily to ensure even drying.
  • Once completely dry, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
  • Label with variety and year. Seeds remain viable for up to 3-5 years.

FAQ

Are Cubanelle peppers spicy?

Cubanelle peppers are sweet with occasional mild heat. They have much less heat than a jalapeño. They’re ideal for those who want flavor without too much spice, making them perfect for frying, stuffing, or using raw in salads and salsas.

Do Cubanelle peppers turn red when ripe?

Yes, Cubanelle peppers start pale green and ripen to red when fully mature. Most cooks harvest them in the light green stage for best texture and flavor, but they are also sweet when red.

Can Cubanelle peppers grow in containers?

Yes, Cubanelle peppers grow well in containers. Use a 5-gallon pot or larger with good drainage, provide full sun, and fertilize regularly to encourage vigorous growth and fruit production.

Browse our full range of sweet pepper seeds.

Customer reviews

4.7 / 5 13 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Heavy producer: Plants load up with peppers and keep going until frost.

  • Mild and sweet: Thin, crunchy flesh for frying with onions, pizza or eggs.

  • Easy to grow: Easy, no-fuss plants that grow quickly once established.

  • Trouble free: Shrugged off the pests and disease that hit other plants.

  • Early to set fruit: Often the first pepper plant in the garden to set fruit.

More to grow!

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