Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet'
Capsicum chinense 'Aji Dulce'
A treasured sweet pepper from Venezuela that looks like a habanero but has no heat, offering pure fruity flavor without the fire. These small, colorful peppers are essential in Caribbean and South American cooking, providing the distinctive chinense aroma and taste that makes sofrito and other traditional dishes authentic. Home gardeners love this productive variety for its unique flavor profile and beautiful ornamental appeal.
Harvest
85-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
12-30 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet' in USDA Zone 7
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Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet' · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | August – October |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | June – August |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: KAP-sih-kum chy-NEN-see. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Fruits are a non-pulpy berry and vary considerably across cultivars in shape and color. Many tend to have a lumpy, crinkled appearance compared to other species. They contain high capsaicin levels.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, White. Type: Berry. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Storage & Preservation
Store fresh Aji Dulce peppers at room temperature for 3-5 days if using soon, or refrigerate in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer for up to two weeks. These thin-skinned peppers are more perishable than thick-walled varieties, so use them promptly for best quality.
For longer storage, freeze whole peppers in freezer bags—no blanching required. They'll maintain their flavor for 6-8 months and work perfectly for cooked dishes like sofrito, though texture becomes soft upon thawing. Alternatively, make traditional sofrito by blending peppers with garlic, onions, and cilantro, then freeze in ice cube trays for convenient portions.
Dehydrating works well for these peppers—slice in half, remove seeds if desired, and dry at 125°F until crisp. Ground dried Aji Dulce makes an excellent seasoning powder that captures their unique fruity flavor without heat, perfect for year-round use in Caribbean and Venezuelan cooking.
History & Origin
Origin: Bolivia, northern Brazil, and Peru
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Heat
- +Attracts: Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Birds are immune to the capsaicin in peppers and can safely eat the fruits with no ill effects. Therefore, these plants may attract birds.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially enhancing pepper flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Tomato
Similar growing requirements and can share support structures
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Carrots
Different root depths prevent competition and carrots help break up soil
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to peppers and causes stunted growth
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most garden plants including peppers
Brassicas
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169394)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate disease resistance typical of chinense varieties
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, pepper maggot
Diseases
Bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, mosaic virus