Bell Pepper 'Golden California Wonder'
Capsicum annuum 'Golden California Wonder'
A stunning golden-yellow version of the classic California Wonder bell pepper that brings sunshine to your garden and plate. These thick-walled, blocky peppers start green and ripen to a brilliant golden yellow with exceptional sweet flavor. Perfect for gardeners who want reliable production of beautiful, versatile peppers for fresh eating or cooking.
Harvest
70-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Bell Pepper 'Golden California Wonder' in USDA Zone 7
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Bell Pepper 'Golden California Wonder' · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
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
Fresh Golden California Wonder peppers store best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer at 45-50°F with high humidity. Place them in perforated plastic bags to maintain moisture while allowing air circulation. They'll keep for 1-2 weeks when properly stored. Avoid storing below 40°F, which causes chill damage and pitting.
For freezing, wash and core peppers, then cut into strips or dice. Blanch for 2 minutes in boiling water, cool immediately in ice water, drain thoroughly, and pack in freezer bags. Frozen peppers maintain quality for 10-12 months and work excellently in cooked dishes.
Dehydrating works well for Golden California Wonder—slice into ¼-inch rings and dry at 125°F until leathery. These thick-walled peppers also excel for roasting and freezing whole after charring the skins. The sweet flavor intensifies when roasted, making them perfect for winter soups and sauces.
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
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Tomato
Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on pepper pests
Carrots
Improve soil structure and don't compete for nutrients at same soil level
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Chives
Repels aphids and may help deter larger pests like rabbits
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that stunts pepper growth and causes wilting
Fennel
Inhibits growth of peppers through allelopathic compounds
Brassicas
Heavy nitrogen feeders that compete directly with peppers for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
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
Common Pests
Aphids, pepper weevil, spider mites, thrips
Diseases
Bacterial spot, blossom end rot, pepper mild mottle virus