Fish Pepper
Capsicum annuum
Initial color is lime green, turning to golden yellow when ripe. Excellent, sweet flavor. Medium-large fruits are mostly 3-lobed and slightly elongated.
Harvest
80-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Fish Pepper in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 pepper →Zone Map
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Fish Pepper · 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 | — | September – 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 fish peppers store best at room temperature for 3-5 days to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant striping, though refrigeration extends storage to 1-2 weeks in the crisper drawer. Avoid storing in plastic bags, which trap moisture and cause deterioration of the delicate variegated skin.
For preservation, fish peppers excel at drying due to their medium heat level and unique appearance—string whole peppers or slice and dehydrate at 135°F until brittle. The dried peppers retain their striped pattern beautifully and make stunning additions to spice blends. Pickling preserves both flavor and visual appeal; use a standard pepper pickling recipe with vinegar, maintaining the peppers' firm texture. You can also freeze whole peppers for up to 6 months, though they'll lose crispness and are best used in cooked dishes where their distinctive flavor shines in seafood preparations.
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 enhancing pepper flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds
Tomato
Similar growing requirements and can share support structures, both benefit from same soil conditions
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover while attracting beneficial insects
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pepper pests
Carrots
Deep roots improve soil structure and don't compete for surface nutrients with shallow pepper roots
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting predatory insects
Chives
Natural aphid repellent and helps improve pepper growth and flavor
Keep Apart
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and attracts harmful insects
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in pepper plants
Brassicas
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169394)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Bacterial Leaf Spot races 1-10 (Intermediate); Phytophthora Blight (Intermediate); Tobamovirus races 0 (High)
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, pepper maggot
Diseases
Bacterial spot, anthracnose, mosaic virus