HybridContainer OK

Sweet Pepper 'Mini Bell Mix'

Capsicum annuum 'Mini Bell Mix'

Adorable bite-sized bell peppers in a rainbow of colors including red, yellow, orange, and purple, perfect for snacking and lunch boxes. These compact plants are incredibly productive, churning out dozens of crisp, sweet mini peppers throughout the season. Ideal for container gardening and small spaces, they bring both beauty and functionality to any garden.

Harvest

60-70d

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 'Mini Bell Mix' in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 pepper →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Sweet Pepper 'Mini Bell Mix' · Zones 4–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilWell-drained potting mix or garden loam with compost

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, consistent moisture preferred

SeasonWarm season

FlavorVery sweet, crisp, and mild with no heat

ColorMixed colors: red, yellow, orange, purple

Size1-2 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	—	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 Mini Bell Mix peppers store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 45-50°F with high humidity, lasting 7-10 days. Avoid washing until ready to use, as excess moisture promotes decay. For short-term storage, leave them at room temperature for 2-3 days maximum.

For longer preservation, blanch whole mini peppers for 2 minutes, then freeze in airtight containers — they'll maintain quality for 6-8 months. Frozen mini peppers work excellently in cooked dishes but lose crispness for fresh eating.

Dehydrating is another excellent option — slice peppers in half, remove seeds, and dry at 125°F until leathery. Properly dried mini peppers store for up to a year and rehydrate beautifully in soups and stews. You can also pickle them whole using standard vegetable pickling recipes, creating colorful additions to antipasto platters and charcuterie boards.

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

Tomatoes

Similar growing requirements and can share space efficiently, both benefit from same soil conditions

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects

Oregano

Deters pests like aphids and spider mites with its strong aromatic oils

Carrots

Help break up soil for pepper roots and don't compete for the same nutrients

Onions

Repel aphids, thrips, and other pests that commonly attack peppers

Parsley

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

Lettuce

Provides living mulch and ground cover while peppers provide afternoon shade

Keep Apart

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

Brassicas

Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that causes wilting and death in pepper plants

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 general disease resistance typical of modern hybrids

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, thrips

Diseases

Bacterial spot, powdery mildew, blossom end rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Mini Bell Mix take to grow from seed?▼

Mini Bell Mix takes 60-70 days from transplant to first harvest, or about 140-150 days total from seed to harvest when including the 8-10 week indoor starting period. The compact size means faster maturation compared to full-size bells, which typically need 70-80 days from transplant.

Can you grow Mini Bell Mix in containers?▼

Yes, Mini Bell Mix is excellent for container growing. Use at least 3-gallon pots with drainage holes and quality potting mix. The compact 18-24 inch plants are perfectly sized for containers and actually produce better yields per square foot than full-size pepper varieties in confined spaces.

What does Mini Bell Mix taste like compared to regular bell peppers?▼

Mini Bell Mix peppers taste identical to full-size bells — sweet, crisp, and completely mild with no heat. Many gardeners find them actually sweeter because the smaller size concentrates flavors, and they're typically harvested at peak ripeness for optimal sugar development.

Is Mini Bell Mix good for beginner gardeners?▼

Absolutely. Mini Bell Mix is rated as 'easy' difficulty with compact plants that need minimal staking, faster harvest times, and forgiving growth habits. The frequent small harvests provide immediate gratification that keeps new gardeners engaged and motivated throughout the season.

When should I plant Mini Bell Mix seeds?▼

Start Mini Bell Mix 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 consistently reach 60°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F.

How many Mini Bell Mix peppers does one plant produce?▼

A healthy Mini Bell Mix plant typically produces 25-40 mini peppers throughout the growing season when harvested regularly. Peak production occurs mid-summer, with plants often producing 5-8 peppers per week during optimal growing conditions.