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Sweet Pepper 'Gypsy'

Capsicum annuum 'Gypsy'

An All-America Selections winner beloved for its exceptional productivity and sweet, crisp flavor in a compact plant perfect for small gardens. This hybrid produces an abundance of colorful peppers that transition from pale yellow to orange to bright red, making it as ornamental as it is delicious. The thin-skinned fruits are perfect for fresh eating and cook quickly in stir-fries.

Harvest

65-70d

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 'Gypsy' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Sweet Pepper 'Gypsy' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained fertile soil with organic matter

pH6.0-6.8

Water1 inch per week, even moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorVery sweet and crisp with no heat, tender skin

ColorPale yellow ripening to orange then bright red

Size3-4 inches long, 2 inches wide

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – April	June – July	—	August – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	—	August – October
Zone 5	March – March	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 6	March – March	May – June	—	July – September
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
Zone 8	February – February	April – May	—	June – August
Zone 9	January – January	March – April	—	May – July
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 'Gypsy' peppers store best at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the refrigerator crisper drawer for up to 2 weeks. Don't wash until ready to use, as moisture accelerates decay. Store in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while allowing air circulation.

For longer storage, 'Gypsy' peppers freeze exceptionally well due to their thin skins. Wash, remove seeds, and slice into strips before freezing on baking sheets. Transfer to freezer bags for up to 8 months – perfect for winter stir-fries. These peppers also excel in quick pickles; their tender skin absorbs brine rapidly for tangy snacks in just 24 hours. For dried peppers, slice thin and dehydrate at 125°F for 8-12 hours. The sweet flavor concentrates beautifully, creating colorful additions to winter soups and stews.

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 compounds

Tomato

Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on pepper pests

Carrots

Grow well in pepper shade and help break up soil without competing for nutrients

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing them away from peppers

Chives

Repels aphids and may help improve pepper growth and flavor

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that stunts growth and can kill pepper plants

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

Brassicas

Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth due to different soil pH preferences

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

Excellent resistance to tobacco mosaic virus

Common Pests

Aphids, flea beetles, cutworms, spider mites

Diseases

Bacterial spot, blossom end rot, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Sweet Pepper 'Gypsy' takes 65-70 days from transplanting to first harvest, plus 8-10 weeks for indoor seed starting. Total growing time is approximately 120-140 days from seed to harvest. Starting indoors is essential in most climates since peppers need warm soil and cannot tolerate frost.

Can you grow Sweet Pepper 'Gypsy' in containers?▼

'Gypsy' peppers are excellent for container growing due to their compact 18-24 inch size. Use containers at least 5 gallons with drainage holes. The heavy fruit production may actually benefit from container growing since you can move plants to optimal sun exposure and protect them from extreme weather.

Is Sweet Pepper 'Gypsy' good for beginners?▼

Yes, 'Gypsy' is ideal for beginning gardeners. It's forgiving of minor care mistakes, produces abundant fruit even in less-than-perfect conditions, and has excellent disease resistance. The compact size makes it manageable, and the sweet flavor with no heat appeals to most family members.

What does Sweet Pepper 'Gypsy' taste like compared to bell peppers?▼

'Gypsy' peppers are sweeter and more tender than bell peppers, with thin skin that doesn't require peeling. They're crunchier when young and yellow, becoming more tender as they ripen to red. The flavor is mild and sweet with no bitter notes, making them excellent for raw eating.

When should I plant Sweet Pepper 'Gypsy' seeds?▼

Start 'Gypsy' seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost date. For most areas, this means starting seeds in late February to early March. Transplant outdoors only when soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F.

Do Sweet Pepper 'Gypsy' plants need support or staking?▼

Yes, despite their compact size, 'Gypsy' peppers benefit from staking due to their heavy fruit production. Use small tomato cages or bamboo stakes when plants reach 8-10 inches tall. The abundant pepper load can cause branches to break, especially as fruits ripen and become heavier.