Sweet Valencia Pepper Plant

Sweet Valencia is the perfect bell pepper for cooking and storing. This Pepper is thick walled, juicy, sweet, and has a gorgeous pumpkin color when fully ripe. The 4-inch, blocky fruits take a bit longer to ripen late in the summer, but perfection cannot be rushed. Valencia is rated at 0 Scoville Heat Units and is great for stuffed peppers or used fresh in salads and with dips on a veggie tray. 

Sweet Valencia Pepper Care  

All peppers need heat and sun to develop their full flavor and large fruit. At least 6 hours of full sun and well-draining soil is perfect for encouraging peppers to grow a robust root system. Amend soil with 1 inch of organic compost before planting to give the plants a good start, and water them once or twice a week with a total of one inch of water. Provide extra protection, or wait to plant peppers outside when the nighttime temperatures are below 50 degrees F.  Peppers also will not fruit or ripen if the temperature is over 95 F. 

Growing Sweet Valencia Pepper

Sweet Valencia will begin ripening 70 days after transplanting and provide harvests of individual fruit from late July to September. Provide short stakes or cages for the plants early on to prevent branches from breaking under the weight of the heavy fruits. Space Sweet Valencia 24 inches apart when planting in a raised bed or in the ground. Growing peppers in an unheated greenhouse or hoop house will extend the season, allowing them to be planted earlier and producing fruit later in the season. 

Containers are a great way to grow peppers in a small space or on a patio or deck. Ensure that the pot has excellent drainage and a diameter of at least 12 inches. Use a soil-based potting mix that has perlite added for extra drainage. Fertilize container-grown peppers every two weeks with a diluted fish or seaweed extract. Stop fertilizing when fruits begin to form. 

Watering Sweet Valencia Pepper 

Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry between waterings. Watering with one inch of water once or twice a week will help the roots grow deeper and stronger. Avoid wetting the foliage and use drip irrigation or soaker hoses for watering instead of overhead spraying if possible.

Feeding Sweet Valencia Pepper 

Amend the planting area with 1-2 inches of compost before planting peppers. Feed with a diluted liquid seaweed or fish emulsion every two weeks until the first fruit begins to form. Fertilizers formulated for tomatoes or roses may be used as an alternative to organic feeds.

Sweet Valencia Pepper Plant Information