Bell Pepper 'Red Knight'
Capsicum annuum 'Red Knight'
A premium hybrid bell pepper bred for exceptional disease resistance and consistent production of large, blocky fruits. Red Knight delivers the classic sweet bell pepper flavor while being one of the most reliable varieties for home gardeners, especially in areas with challenging growing conditions. Its thick walls and excellent shelf life make it perfect for both fresh eating and cooking.
Harvest
75-80d
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 'Red Knight' in USDA Zone 7
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Bell Pepper 'Red Knight' · Zones 4–11
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 | — | 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
Fresh Red Knight peppers store best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer at 45-50°F with high humidity, lasting 2-3 weeks when properly stored. Don't wash until ready to use, as excess moisture promotes decay. For counter storage, use within 4-5 days at room temperature.
For freezing, wash and remove seeds, then cut into strips or rings. Red Knight's thick walls freeze exceptionally well without blanching, maintaining texture better than thin-walled varieties. Frozen peppers keep 10-12 months and work perfectly in cooked dishes.
Roast whole peppers over an open flame or under the broiler until skins char, then steam in a closed bag for easy peeling. Roasted Red Knights can be frozen in olive oil or preserved in vinegar. The variety's sweet flavor also makes excellent pepper jelly or can be dehydrated into flakes, though the thick walls require longer drying times than thinner varieties.
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
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pepper pests
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling whiteflies
Basil
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor
Tomatoes
Share similar growing conditions and can help shade pepper roots from intense sun
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent
Oregano
Deters pests like aphids and spider mites while attracting beneficial insects
Carrots
Help break up soil for pepper root development and don't compete for nutrients
Onions
Repel aphids, thrips, and other pests that commonly attack peppers
Keep Apart
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in peppers
Brassicas
Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth due to different soil pH preferences
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2258588)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to bacterial leaf spot and tobacco mosaic virus
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, hornworms
Diseases
Blossom end rot, bacterial spot, verticillium wilt