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Sweet Pepper 'Carmen'

Capsicum annuum 'Carmen'

A gorgeous Italian bull's horn pepper that starts green and ripens to a brilliant red with incredibly sweet, crisp flesh. This AAS winner produces abundant 4-6 inch tapered fruits that are perfect for fresh eating, roasting, or stuffing. Carmen consistently outperforms other sweet peppers in both flavor and productivity, making it a must-grow for pepper lovers.

Harvest

75-80d

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 Sweet Pepper 'Carmen' in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 pepper →

Zone Map

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Sweet Pepper 'Carmen' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, crisp, and juicy with no heat

ColorGreen ripening to bright red

Size4-6 inches long, 2-3 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 Carmen peppers store best at room temperature for 3-5 days or in the refrigerator crisper drawer for up to two weeks. Store in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while preventing moisture buildup that causes soft rot. Red ripe peppers have shorter storage life than green ones due to higher sugar content.

For longer preservation, Carmen's thick flesh makes it ideal for freezing. Remove stems and seeds, slice into strips, and freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags—they'll keep 6-8 months. Blanching isn't necessary for peppers.

Roast whole Carmen peppers over open flame or under broiler until skin blisters and chars, then steam in paper bags for easy peeling. Roasted peppers freeze beautifully or can be preserved in olive oil (refrigerate and use within one week). The sweet flesh also dehydrates well—slice thin and dry at 135°F until leathery for pepper flakes or powder.

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

Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent

Tomatoes

Share similar growing conditions and pest management strategies

Oregano

Attracts beneficial insects and repels cucumber beetles and aphids

Carrots

Help break up soil and don't compete for space or nutrients

Onions

Repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests with sulfur compounds

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Keep Apart

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

Brassicas

Compete for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that is highly toxic to peppers and causes wilting

Nutrition Facts

Calories

27kcal(1%)

Protein

1.66g(3%)

Fiber

3.4g(12%)

Carbs

5.35g(2%)

Fat

0.45g(1%)

Vitamin C

82.7mg(92%)

Vitamin A

17mcg(2%)

Vitamin K

9.5mcg(8%)

Iron

0.46mg(3%)

Calcium

14mg(1%)

Potassium

256mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169394)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to tobacco mosaic virus

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, cutworms

Diseases

Bacterial spot, anthracnose, blossom end rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sweet Pepper Carmen take to grow from seed?▼

Carmen takes 155-170 days total from seed to harvest—8-10 weeks for indoor seed starting, plus 75-80 days from transplant to first harvest. Start seeds indoors in late winter, transplant after last frost, and expect your first peppers by mid to late summer depending on your climate zone.

Can you grow Carmen peppers in containers?▼

Yes, Carmen grows excellently in containers due to its compact plant size and determinate growth habit. Use containers at least 5 gallons with drainage holes, and provide sturdy caging since the heavy fruit load can tip over lighter pots. Container-grown Carmen may need daily watering in hot weather.

What does Carmen pepper taste like compared to regular bell peppers?▼

Carmen offers significantly sweeter, more complex flavor than standard bell peppers with a crisp, juicy texture and no bitter aftertaste. The Italian breeding gives it a more pronounced sweet pepper flavor that intensifies when roasted, making it superior for fresh eating and cooking applications.

Is Carmen pepper good for beginning gardeners?▼

Carmen is excellent for beginners due to its disease resistance, reliable production, and forgiving nature. The main requirements are warm soil for transplanting and consistent watering—much easier than finicky heirloom varieties. The AAS award confirms its dependable performance across different skill levels.

When should I plant Carmen pepper seeds?▼

Start Carmen seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your area's last frost date. For most regions, this means starting seeds in late February to early March. Don't rush outdoor transplanting—wait until soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Do Carmen peppers need full sun or can they take partial shade?▼

Carmen requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) for optimal fruit production and disease prevention. Partial shade reduces yields significantly and increases susceptibility to fungal diseases due to poor air circulation and slower leaf drying after morning dew or rain.