What are the sun requirements for Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana'?

Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana' need?

Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana' has Medium water needs.

Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana', Sweet Banana Pepper

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Vegetables

Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana'

Sweet Banana Pepper

Solanaceae

Open-pollinated cultivar; the species C. annuum is native to Central and South America (Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity1 years

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana' is Sweet Banana pepper, an annual growing 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Elongated curved banana-shaped peppers 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long, tapering to a point. Ripen from pale yellow-green to golden-yellow (harvest at either stage). Thick-walled and crisp with zero heat (0 Scoville units) — a sweet pepper, not hot. White star-shaped 5-petaled flowers. Medium green smooth ovate foliage. In the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Open-pollinated — seed can be saved. 25-30 fruit per plant per season. Do not confuse with hot banana peppers (C. annuum 'Hot Hungarian Wax') which look similar but have 5,000-10,000 Scoville units. Fruit production slows when temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C) — the primary limitation in hot climates. Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Non-toxic (edible crop). Deer-resistant. Full sun. Tender annual — killed by frost. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar. The species C. annuum is native to Central and South America (Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L). Sweet pepper — zero heat (0 Scoville). Open-pollinated — save seeds. 25-30 fruit per plant. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by elongated curved banana-shaped peppers 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) that ripen from pale yellow-green to golden-yellow on a compact upright bush. Zero heat (0 Scoville). Distinguished from hot banana peppers by the thick walls and the lack of capsaicin. In Solanaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Summer Fall

Summer to fall (June-October). White star-shaped 5-petaled flowers continuously. Self-pollinating. Fruit 65-75 days from transplant. Continuous production until frost.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, star-shaped, 5-petaled, 0.5 inch (12 mm)

Foliage Description

Medium green, smooth ovate, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

65-75 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Start indoors 8 weeks early. Compact — cage or short stake as fruit loads branches. Pick fruit regularly to encourage continued production. Fruit production slows above 90 degrees F (32 degrees C). Open-pollinated — save seeds. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Tender annual.

Pruning

Pinch the first few flowers to build a stronger root system. Pick fruit regularly — unpicked fruit signals the plant to stop producing. Remove lower leaves touching soil. No heavy pruning needed.

Pruning Schedule

summer