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Bell Pepper 'Big Bertha'

Capsicum annuum 'Big Bertha'

A prize-winning hybrid that produces enormous bell peppers up to 7 inches long and 4 inches wide, often weighing over a pound each. This reliable variety delivers exceptional yields of thick-walled, sweet peppers that are perfect for stuffing or fresh eating. Big Bertha has been a garden favorite for decades thanks to its impressive size and excellent disease resistance.

Harvest

72-75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Blossom-End Rot of Tomato

☀️

Zones

4–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Bell Pepper 'Big Bertha' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Bell Pepper 'Big Bertha' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile loam rich in organic matter

pH6.0-6.8

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, crisp, and mild with no heat

ColorGreen maturing to bright red

Size6-7 inches long, 4 inches wide, up to 1 pound

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – April	June – July	—	August – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	—	August – October
Zone 5	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 6	March – March	May – June	—	July – September
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 8	February – February	April – May	—	June – August
Zone 9	January – January	March – April	—	May – July
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	—	May – July

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. Water: KAP-sih-kum AN-yoo-um. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Fruits are a non-pulpy berry and vary considerably across cultivars. Some are long, thin, bright red, and spicy; others are thick, large, and sweet-tasting; others still are small and in ornamental shapes and colors, grown as decoration.

Color: 'Aurora', 'Basket of Fire', 'Black Pearl', 'Buena Mulata', 'Calico', 'California Wonder', 'Candelabra', Cerasiforme Group, 'Chilly Chili', Conioides Group, 'Early Jalapeno', Fasciculatum Group, Grossum Group, 'Hot Returns', Longum Group, 'Mad Hatter', 'Purple Flash', 'Sweet orange', 'Sweet Sunset'. Type: Berry. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Showy

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.

Storage & Preservation

Store freshly harvested Big Bertha peppers in the refrigerator crisper drawer in perforated plastic bags where they'll maintain quality for 2-3 weeks. For shorter-term storage, keep them at room temperature for up to one week. Their thick walls make them excellent candidates for freezing – simply wash, remove seeds and stems, slice, and freeze in single layers before transferring to freezer bags.

Big Bertha's substantial size makes them perfect for stuffing and then freezing whole after blanching for 3 minutes. They also excel when roasted and frozen in portions, or pickled in rings for long-term storage. Due to their low acidity, avoid water-bath canning unless following tested recipes with added acid. Their mild, sweet flavor intensifies beautifully when dehydrated into pepper flakes or powder.

History & Origin

Origin: Tropical North and South America

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. Host plant for Potato Tuber Moth.
+Edible: Fruits edible, but spiciness is unpredictable in intensity.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor

Tomatoes

Share similar growing conditions and can help deter pests when planted together

Oregano

Repels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Marigolds

Deter nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent

Carrots

Help break up soil and don't compete for nutrients or space

Onions

Repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests that attack peppers

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on pepper pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Keep Apart

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

Brassicas

Compete heavily for nutrients and can stunt pepper growth

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that is harmful to peppers and most nightshades

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.715g(1%)

Fiber

0.942g(3%)

Carbs

4.78g(2%)

Fat

0.106g(0%)

Vitamin C

99.5mg(111%)

Iron

0.186mg(1%)

Calcium

7.5mg(1%)

Potassium

163mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2258588)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to tobacco mosaic virus and bacterial leaf spot

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, pepper hornworm, cutworms

Diseases

Bacterial spot, anthracnose, blossom end rot, verticillium wilt

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Big Bertha pepper take to grow?▼

Big Bertha peppers take 72-75 days from transplant to harvest, plus 8-10 weeks for indoor seed starting. From seed to harvest, expect approximately 18-20 weeks total. In northern climates, start seeds indoors in February for summer harvest, while southern gardeners can start in March.

Can you grow Big Bertha peppers in containers?▼

Yes, Big Bertha grows well in containers, but use large pots (minimum 5-gallon capacity) to support the substantial root system and heavy fruit load. Provide sturdy staking and consistent watering, as container plants dry out faster. Choose a sunny location with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Is Big Bertha pepper good for beginners?▼

Big Bertha is considered easy to grow once established, but the long indoor starting period can challenge beginners. If you can successfully start seeds indoors or purchase transplants, the variety is forgiving and produces reliably. Its disease resistance makes it more beginner-friendly than many pepper varieties.

What does Big Bertha pepper taste like?▼

Big Bertha peppers have a sweet, mild flavor with no heat whatsoever. They're crisp when fresh with thick, juicy walls. The flavor is classic bell pepper but more concentrated due to the thick flesh. When cooked, they become tender and slightly sweeter, making them ideal for stuffing and roasting.

When should I plant Big Bertha pepper seeds?▼

Start Big Bertha seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost date. For most areas, this means starting seeds in February or March. Transplant outdoors only after soil temperature reaches 65°F and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F.

How big do Big Bertha peppers actually get?▼

Big Bertha peppers typically reach 6-7 inches long and 3-4 inches wide, often weighing over one pound each when fully mature. Under ideal growing conditions with consistent water and fertility, some fruits can reach 8 inches long. The thick walls (¼ inch) contribute significantly to their impressive weight.