Latin name: Capsicum annuum
๐ฑ Days to Sprout: 7-14
๐ Plant food: after true leaves
โ๏ธ Thin to: 1 plant per yCube
๐ Days to Maturity: 60-90
๐ก Light Zone: Maximum
๐ Plant Size: 2 ft
๐ Care Level: Advanced
Origin
Named for their similarity in shape to the popular yellow fruit, Banana Peppers are descendants of peppers native to Hungary. Banana peppers first appeared in the U.S. in 1932, and even today are sometimes mistaken and mislabeled in grocery stores as Hungarian Hot Wax Peppers.
Qualities
Individual Banana Peppers can grow up to 8-9 inches in length. As they ripen, peppers change from yellowish-green, to yellow, and finally to red. The longer they are allowed to ripen, the sweeter they get! Similar to other C.annuum peppers, Banana Peppers provide a great source of Vitamin C (which increases with ripening) along with carotenoids (especially pro-Vitamin A). Banana Peppers also deliver healthy flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Use
Unlike spicier varieties, Gardyn Banana Peppers wonโt make you sweat! Enjoy them raw on salads, sandwiches, in fresh salsas, or as a crunchy snack all on their own.
Care & Harvest
๐กTemperature: Prefers warmer temperatures (70-85ยฐF).
๐ Pollination: Peppers require pollination. Flowers develop 4-6 weeks after sprouting. Remove the first set of flower buds that grow to encourage root and foliage development. When the next flowers appear, hand-pollinate them by gently shaking the entire plant to replicate the effects of wind, or gently disturb the inside of blossoms with your finger or a small brush.
๐ซถ Support: Use a Plant Belt to support the plant and its heavy fruit as it matures, as each pepper can reach 8-9 inches in length!
โ๏ธ Pruning: These peppers require pruning. Snip away yellow or brown leaves if they appear, and trim branches to ensure the plant stays within the Gardynโs light. Check the roots monthly and trim any that are brown or extending past the yPod.
๐ Plant Health: Gardyn peppers are prolific producers, even if they show signs of Edema, a harmless disorder. Aphids are a common pest, but you can use our prevention and treatment tricks to keep pests at bay!
๐ถ Harvest: Harvest at any color once peppers are firm and 8-9 inches long. Cut each pepper at its individual stem.
Harvest to Plate Recipe
Easy Pickled Banana Peppers
Our Plant Health & Nutrition Team thoroughly tests each variety we offer to bring you the most flavorful and high-quality plants. We regularly rotate our plant portfolio, so please note, availability varies.