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Sweet Pepper 'Lipstick'

Capsicum annuum 'Lipstick'

A delightful mini sweet pepper that's become a farmer's market favorite for its perfect snack size and exceptional sweetness. These glossy, bright red peppers are shaped like small lipstick tubes and offer incredible flavor in a compact package. Extremely productive plants make this variety perfect for container growing and continuous harvesting throughout the season.

Harvest

55-65d

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 'Lipstick' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Sweet Pepper 'Lipstick' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH6.0-6.8

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorExceptionally sweet with crisp texture and no heat

ColorBright red when ripe, green when immature

Size3-4 inches long, 1 inch 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	—	July – September
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 Lipstick peppers store best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, lasting 1-2 weeks when kept in a perforated plastic bag. Avoid washing until ready to use, as excess moisture promotes decay. For short-term storage, leave perfect specimens at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain optimal crispness.

Freeze whole peppers directly in freezer bags — their small size makes blanching unnecessary. Frozen Lipstick peppers work excellently in cooked dishes but lose their crisp texture for fresh eating. For longer preservation, slice and dehydrate at 125°F until leathery, creating sweet pepper chips perfect for snacking or rehydrating in soups.

Pickle small whole Lipstick peppers in rice vinegar with a touch of sugar to complement their natural sweetness. Their compact size and sturdy walls make them ideal for quick pickles that retain good texture and vibrant color.

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 support structures

Oregano

Repels pests like cucumber beetles and provides ground cover

Carrots

Loosens soil around pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients

Onions

Repels aphids, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Keep Apart

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that stunts or kills pepper plants

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper growth

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 disease resistance, vigorous growth

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Bacterial spot, blossom end rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Lipstick pepper take to grow from seed?▼

Lipstick peppers take 55-65 days from transplant to first harvest, plus 8-10 weeks for indoor seed starting. Total time from sowing to harvest is approximately 14-16 weeks. This makes them one of the earlier sweet pepper varieties, perfect for shorter growing seasons and impatient gardeners wanting quick results.

Can you grow Lipstick peppers in containers?▼

Yes, Lipstick peppers are excellent for container growing due to their compact 18-24 inch size and productive nature. Use at least a 5-gallon pot with drainage holes, quality potting mix, and place in full sun. Container plants may need more frequent watering and feeding but often produce better than garden plants due to controlled growing conditions.

Are Lipstick peppers good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Lipstick peppers are ideal for beginning gardeners because they're fast-maturing, compact, disease-resistant, and very forgiving. They don't require staking, produce reliably, and provide clear visual cues for harvest timing. The main beginner challenge is consistent watering to prevent blossom end rot, but otherwise they're very easy to grow successfully.

What do Lipstick peppers taste like?▼

Lipstick peppers are exceptionally sweet with zero heat, offering candy-like sweetness with a crisp, crunchy texture. They're much sweeter than standard bell peppers with a clean, fresh flavor that appeals to children and adults alike. The concentrated sweetness in their small size makes them perfect for fresh snacking and adds natural sweetness to salads.

When should I plant Lipstick pepper seeds?▼

Start Lipstick pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected frost date. For most regions, this means starting seeds in late February to early March. Transplant outdoors only after soil temperatures reach 60°F consistently and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F, typically 2-3 weeks after the last frost date.

How many Lipstick peppers does one plant produce?▼

A healthy Lipstick pepper plant typically produces 25-40 peppers throughout the growing season when harvested regularly. Plants are extremely productive for their size, with continuous fruit set from mid-summer until first frost. Regular harvesting every 2-3 days encourages maximum production and extends the harvest period significantly.