If you’re growing bell peppers, you’re probably eager to see them turn that classic, vibrant red. Understanding when do red bell peppers turn red is key to harvesting them at their peak flavor and sweetness. This process, called ripening, happens on the vine under the right conditions and requires a bit of patience from the gardener.
Red bell peppers start life as green fruits. The green color comes from chlorophyll, which helps the plant produce energy. The shift to red is a natural maturation stage where the pepper stops producing chlorophyll and begins making other pigments, mainly carotenoids like capsanthin. This change signals a boost in vitamins and natural sugars.
When Do Red Bell Peppers Turn Red
So, what’s the timeline? From pollination to a fully ripe red pepper, you’re typically looking at 60 to 90 days. The initial green, mature stage takes about 55-65 days after fruit set. The color change itself can then take an additional 2-4 weeks, depending heavily on weather.
Several factors influence this speed. Warm temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) are ideal. Cooler weather, especially nights below 55°F (13°C), will dramatically slow the process. The variety you planted also matters, as some are bred to ripen slightly faster than others.
The Ripening Process Explained
Ripening is a biological process triggered by a plant hormone called ethylene. As the pepper reaches full size, it begins producing this gas internally. This acts as a signal for the fruit to start its transformation.
The changes are more than just skin deep. Here’s what happens inside:
- Color: Chlorophyll breaks down, revealing red and orange pigments.
- Sugar Content: Starches convert into sugars, making the pepper sweeter.
- Vitamin Levels: Vitamin C and Vitamin A content increases significantly.
- Texture: The pepper wall becomes thicker and more crisp.
How to Encourage Peppers to Ripen on the Vine
You can’t rush nature, but you can create the best environment for timely ripening. Follow these steps to help your peppers turn red.
1. Ensure Full Sunlight
Peppers are sun-loving plants. They need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the energy needed for ripening. If your plants are shaded, consider pruning nearby foliage carefully to allow more light to reach the fruits.
2. Maintain Consistent Warmth
As mentioned, warmth is crucial. If you live in a region with short summers, using black plastic mulch around the plants can help warm the soil. For potted plants, moving them to a sunnier, sheltered spot can make a big difference as the season winds down.
3. Reduce Watering Slightly
Once peppers have reached their full size, a slight reduction in watering can gently stress the plant and encourage it to focus energy on ripening its fruit. Be careful not to let the plant wilt severely, as this can cause blossom end rot or other issues.
4. Feed with Potassium
While too much nitrogen early on promotes leafy growth, a fertilizer higher in potassium (the third number on the fertilizer label) can support fruit development and ripening. A light feed with a tomato fertilizer or a sprinkle of wood ash can help.
5. Practice Selective Harvesting
If your plant is carrying many green peppers, picking some of them at the green stage can redirect the plant’s energy to ripen the remaining fruits faster. This is especially useful as fall approaches.
Common Problems That Delay Ripening
Sometimes, peppers seem to stay green forever. Here are the usual suspects:
- Cold Weather: This is the number one cause. Growth and ripening slow to a crawl below 55°F.
- Over-Fertilizing with Nitrogen: Excess nitrogen keeps the plant in vegetative growth mode, pushing it to produce more leaves instead of ripening fruit.
- Overcrowding or Lack of Sun: Plants competing for light or fruits shaded by leaves won’t ripen properly.
- Planting Too Late: In many climates, if peppers are set after mid-summer, they may not have enough warm days to turn red before frost.
What to Do If Frost is Coming
If the first frost forecast arrives and you still have green peppers, you have a couple options. You can harvest all the full-sized peppers—they will continue to ripen off the vine, though they may not be quite as sweet.
Alternatively, you can cover the entire plant with a frost blanket or old bedsheets. This can protect it from a light frost and buy you an extra week or two of ripening time on the vine, which is always preferable.
The Off-Vine Ripening Option
Peppers are climacteric fruits, meaning they can ripen after being picked. If you must harvest green due to weather, here’s how to encourage color change indoors:
- Pick peppers that are fully grown and have a glossy sheen.
- Wipe them clean and check for any soft spots or damage.
- Place them in a warm, well-ventilated area, like a sunny windowsill. Putting them in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple can help. These fruits give off ethylene gas, which speeds up the process.
- Check them regularly. They should start to show color within a week or two.
Remember, the flavor and sweetness will be good, but often not quite as rich as a vine-ripened pepper.
Harvesting Your Red Bell Peppers
When your pepper is uniformly deep red and the skin is firm and glossy, it’s ready. Use a sharp pair of pruners or scissors to cut the stem about an inch above the fruit. Pulling it off can damage the branch. It’s best to harvest in the morning when temperatures are cool for the longest shelf life.
Properly harvested, a ripe red bell pepper can last in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to 10 days. You can also slice and freeze them for cooking later, or even dry them for spices.
FAQ Section
How long does it take for a green pepper to turn red?
After reaching full green size, it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks of warm weather for a pepper to completly change color to red. The whole journey from flower to red pepper often takes between 70 and 90 days total.
Will all my green bell peppers turn red?
Only varieties labeled as “red bell peppers” will turn red. If you planted a green bell pepper variety, they will stay green at maturity. Always check your seed packet or plant tag.
Do peppers need sun to turn red?
Yes, sunlight is essential. The warmth from the sun drives the biological process, and light directly on the fruit helps trigger pigment production. Shaded peppers ripen very slowly, if at all.
Can I eat peppers when they are still green?
Absolutely! Green bell peppers are simply unripe peppers. They are edible, crisp, and slightly more bitter than their ripe red counterparts. Harvesting them green does not harm the plant.
Why are my peppers not turning red?
The most common reasons are temperatures that are too cool, a lack of sufficient sunlight, or the plant being over-fertilized with nitrogen. It also may simply be too early in the season—have patience!
Growing red bell peppers to their full, colorful potential is a rewarding test of a gardener’s skill. By providing plenty of sun, warmth, and proper care, you can enjoy the superior taste of homegrown, vine-ripened red bells. The wait is definately worth it for that sweet, crisp flavor that store-bought peppers often lack. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a succesful harvest.