How to Tell if a Purple Bell Pepper Is Ripe

Co-authored by Jon Rowland and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: June 20, 2022 Fact Checked

Purple bell peppers sure are pretty to look at and tasty to eat, but how do you know when they’re ripe? Is harvesting a purple bell pepper the same as harvesting other peppers? Bell peppers are most commonly known for their red, yellow, orange, and green varieties, and you may be surprised to find that their purple variety isn’t so different. If you're curious about purple bell peppers, keep reading because we’ve got everything you need to know about knowing when they’re ripe.

Section 1 of 3:

What is a purple bell pepper?

Download Article

1
A purple bell pepper is usually a temporary color in a pepper's ripening process. Believe it or not, all peppers start out green, no matter the variety.^{[1]
X
Research source} As a pepper ripens and the sugars develop, the color changes, giving each colored pepper a different taste and nutritional value.^{[2]
X
Research source} A purple bell pepper found in the wild is basically an unripe red bell pepper.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Think of it like a tomato. The longer a tomato stays on the vine, the riper it gets and the redder it becomes.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
2
There are also purple varieties of bell peppers you can grow. When you go to the garden store, you can buy seeds or plants for red, yellow, orange, and green bell peppers, and the same goes for purple bell peppers. All bell peppers are part of the Capsicum annuum species and have been domesticated overtime for color, taste, and commercial use.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

PLOS ONE
Online peer-reviewed, open access scientific research journal

Go to source} So, be on the look out for the Purple Belle, Chocolate Bell, and Islander, as these are all common varieties of the purple bell pepper.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source

Missouri Botanical Garden
Oldest botanical garden in the U.S. and center for botanical research and science education

Go to source}^{[7]
X
Research source}
- The bell peppers you buy in the store are bred to ripen at their wanted color, giving them that perfect taste.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- Purple bell varieties won’t go through the same ripening color changes as a yellow or red pepper. They will start off as green and keep turning a darker and darker purple, with their ripest color being a purplish black.

Section 2 of 3:

Signs a Purple Bell Pepper is Ripe

Download Article

Because all unripe bell peppers are green, it’s important to watch and know when a pepper is about to change color.^{[9]
X
Research source} Purple bell peppers get their unique color the longer they stay on the vine, letting the green color mature into a dark, blackish purple.^{[10]
X
Research source}
Generally, you can pick a purple bell pepper whenever it reaches your desired size; however, the bigger it grows, the more mature it’ll get and the less bitter and purple it’ll be.^{[11]
X
Research source}
3
The bell pepper is firm to the touch. Bell peppers become softer and squishier as they mature. Because a purple bell pepper is ripe when it’s immature, it’s best to pick it when it’s still hard to the touch.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Shiny and wrinkle-free skin is a visual sign that the pepper is firm.

Section 3 of 3:

When to Harvest Purple Bell Peppers

Download Article

1
Harvest a purple bell pepper before it turns red. The longer a red bell pepper stays on the plant, the redder and riper it’ll become. Because of this, it’s best to harvest a purple bell pepper when there’s no sign of green and it’s reached a dark, almost blackish-brown color.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- A pepper’s flavor changes with the color, so don’t hesitate to pick it once it turns purple.
- You should try to plant bell peppers in the warm season. By doing this, you can provide them with the right temperature and enough sunlight.
- Remember to use mulch to help absorb sunlight and keep the soil warmer for a more extended period that will go through a thriving period, which will encourage the bell peppers’ growth.
^{[14]
X
Research source} As a bell pepper plant matures, it’ll produce flowers to say, “Hey! I’m ready to make peppers!” Peppers will start to form where the flowers were, and you should have beautiful peppers ready to harvest in about 8 to 10 weeks.^{[15]
X
Research source}
The best way to pick a pepper is to avoid pulling on the stem, so cut them gently from the plant at the pedicel (the part of the pepper attached to the stem). This way, your bell pepper plant can continue growing new peppers without damage.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source

Missouri Botanical Garden
Oldest botanical garden in the U.S. and center for botanical research and science education

Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What is the best fertilizer for bell peppers?

Jon Rowland
Plant Specialist
Jon Rowland is a Plant Specialist and the Founder of the Green House Center blog. With over eight years of plant and garden experience, he specializes in greenhouse care, lawn and garden maintenance, and home appliance recommendations. Jon aims to share his knowledge so that others can live a more convenient, efficient, and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Jon Rowland

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

Focus on using a low nitrogen fertilizer, as this type of fertilizer usually has the best rate of production for bell peppers.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
Question

Can tomatoes and bell peppers be planted next to each other?

Jon Rowland
Plant Specialist
Jon Rowland is a Plant Specialist and the Founder of the Green House Center blog. With over eight years of plant and garden experience, he specializes in greenhouse care, lawn and garden maintenance, and home appliance recommendations. Jon aims to share his knowledge so that others can live a more convenient, efficient, and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Jon Rowland

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

Sure they can! Bell peppers can grow well around tomatoes, carrots, eggplants, corn, cucumbers, etc. Avoid planting them near cabbage-related or apricot-related plants, though, as they will develop some fungal disease that will affect the lifecycle of bell peppers.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4