514 · Sweet Banana

About this plant

Smooth, tapered pods six inches long that ripen pale yellow to orange to red, with no heat at all. The flesh is mild and sweet, best sliced fresh into salads and sandwiches or pickled into rings. Plants are early, tough, and productive, making this a good pick for a first-time pepper grower.

Planting it at home

When to plant out

Wait until after our last frost (about mid-February) and warm soil — usually March. Until then keep the pot in a sunny, sheltered spot and bring it in on cold nights.

Spacing

18"

Size

18–24 in tall × 18 in wide

Support

Bush / compact — little or no support

Care

Sun

Full sun

Water

Even, moderate; deep & infrequent

Feed

Every 3–4 weeks with a balanced vegetable fertilizer; go light on nitrogen so plants set fruit (general guide).

Pick / harvest

Either (usually yellow)

Good to know

Grown from

Seed — sown by FHCG volunteers

Spice level

No heat / Sweet

Heirloom or hybrid

Heirloom — saved seeds grow true

Days to harvest

~70

Heat (our summer)

High

Color

Yellow then bright red