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Bell Pepper 'Sweet Chocolate'

Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Chocolate'

This stunning bell pepper ripens to a rich chocolate-brown color that's as beautiful as it is delicious. The thick-walled fruits offer exceptional sweetness with a complex flavor that sets them apart from ordinary bell peppers, making them a gourmet favorite for both gardeners and chefs.

Harvest

75-85d

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 'Sweet Chocolate' in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 pepper →

Zone Map

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Bell Pepper 'Sweet Chocolate' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilRich, well-draining loam with compost

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorVery sweet with rich, complex flavor and no heat

ColorDark chocolate brown when ripe, green when immature

Size3-4 inches long, 3-4 inches wide

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 Sweet Chocolate peppers store best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where they'll maintain quality for 1-2 weeks at 45-50°F with high humidity. Avoid storing at room temperature, as the thick walls make them prone to soft spots in warm conditions.

For longer preservation, Sweet Chocolate peppers freeze excellently after blanching for 2-3 minutes and cooling in ice water. Their thick walls make them ideal for stuffing applications even after freezing. You can also freeze them raw by removing seeds, chopping, and storing in freezer bags for up to 8 months.

Roasting and peeling these peppers before freezing intensifies their complex flavor – their natural sweetness caramelizes beautifully. Dehydrating is another excellent option due to their low water content and concentrated flavor. The chocolate-brown color is retained through most preservation methods, making them as visually striking as they are flavorful.

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 pest-repelling compounds

Tomato

Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently, mutual pest confusion

Oregano

Repels aphids and spider mites while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Carrots

Loose soil around carrots improves pepper root aeration and water drainage

Onions

Strong scent deters aphids, thrips, and spider mites that commonly attack peppers

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pepper pests

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting peppers

Keep Apart

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may attract flea beetles that can damage pepper plants

Walnut Trees

Produce juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in pepper plants

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

Moderate resistance to tobacco mosaic virus

Common Pests

Aphids, pepper weevils, cutworms, hornworms

Diseases

Bacterial leaf spot, blossom end rot, anthracnose, pepper mottle virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sweet Chocolate bell pepper take to grow?▼

Sweet Chocolate bell peppers take 75-85 days from transplant to harvest, plus 8-10 weeks for indoor seed starting. This means approximately 130-155 days total from seed to harvest. The peppers must ripen fully to their chocolate-brown color to develop their characteristic complex flavor, which requires patience compared to peppers harvested green.

Can you grow Sweet Chocolate bell peppers in containers?▼

Yes, Sweet Chocolate peppers grow well in containers with at least 5-gallon capacity and excellent drainage. Use a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost, place containers in full sun, and provide consistent watering. Container growing actually helps control soil moisture, reducing blossom end rot risk. Stake plants early as the heavy fruits can tip containers.

What does Sweet Chocolate bell pepper taste like?▼

Sweet Chocolate bell peppers offer exceptional sweetness with a rich, complex flavor that's more nuanced than standard bell peppers. They have no heat whatsoever but provide deep, almost smoky undertones when fully ripened to chocolate-brown. The thick walls are crisp and juicy, making them excellent for fresh eating, roasting, and gourmet cooking applications.

When should I plant Sweet Chocolate bell pepper seeds?▼

Start Sweet Chocolate pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors only after soil temperatures reach 65°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F consistently. In most regions, this means starting seeds in late February to March for May transplanting, though timing varies significantly by growing zone.

Is Sweet Chocolate bell pepper good for beginners?▼

Sweet Chocolate peppers are moderately beginner-friendly but require more attention than standard varieties. New gardeners should master consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot and ensure warm growing conditions. The main challenge is patience – beginners often harvest too early before the chocolate color develops. With proper care, they're rewarding for gardeners ready for something beyond basic varieties.

Do Sweet Chocolate peppers turn brown when ripe or overripe?▼

Sweet Chocolate peppers turn chocolate-brown when perfectly ripe, not overripe. This rich brown color is the target harvest stage when flavor peaks. The peppers should still feel firm with glossy skin. Overripe peppers become soft, wrinkled, and may develop dark spots. The brown coloration is genetic, not a sign of deterioration like in other pepper varieties.