Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Big Red (Non-GMO, annual)

Big Red Sweet Bell Pepper Seeds

Grow beautiful, sweet red bell peppers in your backyard with Big Red Sweet Pepper, a Non-GMO, open-pollinated variety of Capsicum annuum.

Big Red produces attractive, blocky bell peppers approximately 4 inches in size, with thick, crisp, sweet flesh and 0 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). The peppers develop from green to a vibrant red color as they mature.

This productive, warm-season variety is suitable for vegetable gardens, raised beds, greenhouses, and containers with sufficient growing space.

Product Highlights

• Non-GMO, open-pollinated sweet bell pepper
• Large, blocky red fruits approximately 4 inches
• Thick, crisp, sweet pepper flesh
• No heat - 0 Scoville Heat Units
• Approximately 75 days from transplant to maturity
• Compact, upright plants approximately 18-24 inches tall
• Ideal for fresh salads, stuffing, roasting, and everyday cooking

Plant Profile

• Common Name: Big Red Sweet Bell Pepper
• Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum
• Plant Family: Solanaceae
• Variety: Big Red
• Pepper Type: Sweet / Bell Pepper
• Seed Traits: Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated
• Life Cycle: Tender Perennial, Commonly Grown as Annual
• Growth Habit: Upright
• Mature Height: Approximately 18-24 Inches
• Plant Width: Approximately 12-18 Inches
• Fruit Color: Green to Bright Red
• Fruit Size: Approximately 4 Inches
• Flavor: Sweet, Mild
• Scoville Heat Units: 0 SHU
• Days to Maturity: Approximately 75 Days from Transplant
• Germination: Approximately 7-14 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4 Inch
• Final Plant Spacing: Approximately 18-24 Inches
• Row Spacing: Approximately 24-36 Inches
• Germination Temperature: Approximately 80-90 F
• Growing Temperature: Approximately 70-85 F
• Sunlight: Full Sun
• Soil: Fertile, Well-Drained
• Preferred Soil pH: Around 6.5

Starting Big Red Sweet Pepper Seeds

Start Big Red pepper seeds indoors approximately 6-8 weeks before the last expected spring frost.

Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep in a clean, well-draining seed-starting mix. Keep the growing medium evenly moist and maintain warmth around 80-90 F during germination.

A thermostatically controlled heat mat may be used to maintain appropriate warmth. Under favorable conditions, seedlings may emerge in approximately 7-14 days.

Once seedlings emerge, provide bright overhead light. Thin crowded seedlings and move them into larger containers as necessary.

Hardening Off and Transplanting

Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting.

Wait until the danger of frost has passed and soil and nighttime temperatures are sufficiently warm.

Space plants approximately 18-24 inches apart, allowing 24-36 inches between rows.

Transplant with minimal root disturbance and water thoroughly after planting.

Sunlight, Soil and Watering

Big Red Sweet Pepper performs best in full sun, ideally with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Choose fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil with a preferred pH near 6.5.

Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during flowering and fruit development.

Mulch can help moderate soil temperature, conserve moisture, and reduce weed growth.

Fertilizing and Plant Support

Use balanced fertilizer according to soil test results and product instructions.

Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote leafy growth rather than fruit production.

Big Red plants generally grow upright to approximately 18-24 inches tall. Support with a small stake or cage if branches become heavy with developing fruit.

Harvesting Big Red Peppers

Big Red generally reaches maturity approximately 75 days from transplant, depending on growing conditions.

The fruits can be harvested when green for an earlier harvest or left on the plant to ripen to bright red for fuller sweetness.

Use sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears to cut the stem just above the pepper.

Culinary Uses

• Fresh Salads
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Roasted Peppers
• Sauteed Vegetables
• Stir-Fries
• Pizza Toppings
• Sandwiches and Wraps
• Fresh Vegetable Platters

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Big Red a hot pepper?

No. Big Red is a sweet bell pepper variety with 0 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

How big are Big Red peppers?

The variety guide describes blocky fruits approximately 4 inches in size, with thick, sweet flesh.

How long does Big Red take to mature?

Approximately 75 days from transplant, not from the day the seeds are sown.

Can I harvest Big Red peppers while they are green?

Yes. Green fruits can be harvested earlier, while fully red fruits generally develop a sweeter flavor.

Can Big Red grow in containers?

Yes. Use a sufficiently large container with good drainage, fertile growing mix, full sun, and consistent moisture.

Does Big Red need staking?

Staking is optional but may be useful when branches carry a heavy fruit load or plants are exposed to wind.

Is Big Red an annual or perennial?

Peppers are tender perennials botanically but are commonly grown as frost-sensitive annual crops in U.S. gardens.