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Bell Pepper 'Rainbow Bell'

Capsicum annuum 'Rainbow Bell'

A stunning sweet bell pepper variety that produces fruits in an array of vibrant colors including red, yellow, orange, and purple, often on the same plant. This reliable hybrid creates a spectacular visual display in the garden while delivering the classic sweet, crisp bell pepper flavor that's perfect for fresh eating or cooking. It's an excellent choice for gardeners who want maximum color impact and continuous harvest throughout the season.

Harvest

70-80d

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 'Rainbow Bell' in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 pepper →

Zone Map

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Bell Pepper 'Rainbow Bell' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile loam with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, mild, crisp with no heat

ColorMulti-colored: red, yellow, orange, purple

Size3-4 inches diameter

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	—	August – October
Zone 5	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 6	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 8	February – February	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 9	January – January	March – April	—	June – August
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 Rainbow Bell peppers in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 45-50°F with high humidity for 1-2 weeks. Keep them in perforated plastic bags to maintain moisture while allowing air circulation. Avoid storing below 40°F, which can cause chilling injury and pitting.

For longer preservation, blanch pepper strips in boiling water for 2 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months. The colorful peppers also excel for pickling – their firm texture holds up well to vinegar brines. Dehydrate sliced rings at 125°F for 8-12 hours to create colorful dried pepper flakes perfect for seasoning. Roasted Rainbow Bell peppers can be frozen whole after charring the skins and removing them, preserving their sweet flavor for up to 6 months.

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

Marigolds

Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds

Tomatoes

Similar growing requirements and can share support structures, though keep adequate spacing

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids

Carrots

Loose soil from carrot growth improves drainage, and carrots don't compete for nutrients

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting predatory insects

Chives

Repels aphids and may help improve pepper growth and disease resistance

Keep Apart

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of peppers and most other garden vegetables

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in peppers and other nightshades

Brassicas

Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth and fruit production

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 weevil, cutworms

Diseases

Bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, blossom end rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Rainbow Bell pepper take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Rainbow Bell peppers take 70-80 days from transplant to first harvest, or about 90-100 days from seed starting. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors when soil reaches 65°F. In most climates, expect your first colorful peppers by mid to late summer with continuous harvests until frost.

Can you grow Rainbow Bell peppers in containers?▼

Yes, Rainbow Bell peppers excel in containers due to their compact 24-30 inch size. Use containers at least 5 gallons with drainage holes, and fill with quality potting mix. Place containers in full sun locations and water more frequently than garden plants. Stake or cage for support as fruits develop, and fertilize every 2-3 weeks during growing season.

Do all the pepper colors grow on the same plant?▼

Yes, Rainbow Bell plants produce peppers in multiple colors – red, yellow, orange, and purple – all on the same plant simultaneously. Each individual pepper maintains its specific color when mature, creating a stunning rainbow effect. The color variety is genetically programmed, not dependent on ripeness stages like some pepper varieties.

Is Rainbow Bell pepper good for beginners?▼

Rainbow Bell peppers are excellent for beginners due to their easy-growing nature, good disease resistance, and forgiving growth habits. They're less finicky than hot peppers about growing conditions and produce reliably in most climates with basic care. The visual reward of colorful fruits provides great motivation for new gardeners.

What does Rainbow Bell pepper taste like?▼

Rainbow Bell peppers have the classic sweet, mild bell pepper flavor with excellent crispness and no heat. All colors taste essentially the same – sweet and fresh with thick, juicy walls perfect for eating raw or cooking. They're slightly sweeter than standard green bell peppers and maintain their crisp texture well when cooked.

When should I plant Rainbow Bell pepper seeds?▼

Start Rainbow Bell pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date. In most areas, this means starting seeds in late February to early March. Transplant outdoors 2-3 weeks after the last frost when soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F, typically late May to early June in northern climates.