California Wonder Pepper Seeds

Capsicum annuum California Wonder Pepper

Capsicum annuum California Wonder Pepper is the gold standard of heirloom bell peppers, treasured by gardeners since 1928 for its reliability and large, blocky fruit. Growing to about 24 to 30 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches, this variety is a sturdy, upright producer perfect for vegetable patches, raised beds, and large patio containers. Unlike thin-walled varieties, California Wonder produces thick, crunchy flesh that starts as a glossy dark green and matures to a brilliant, sweet crimson red, offering a versatile harvest at any stage of ripeness.

Culinary and Practical Uses

• The thick, sturdy walls and spacious interior make this the ultimate "stuffing pepper," capable of holding heavy fillings of rice, meat, and cheese without collapsing during baking.
• When harvested green, they offer a zesty, crisp crunch for salads and crudité platters; when allowed to ripen to red, the sugar content increases significantly for a sweeter flavor ideal for roasting.
• A nutritional powerhouse, a single mature red pepper can provide more than double the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C, along with significant amounts of Vitamin A and antioxidants.

Characteristics

• Foliage/Fruit: Dense canopy of dark green leaves that protects the fruit from sunscald; produces large, 3-to-4-lobed blocky peppers with thick, juicy flesh.
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy, and upright; strong enough to hold its fruit load but benefits from staking to keep the heavy peppers off the soil.
• Flowers: Produces small, white, star-shaped blossoms throughout the summer that are self-pollinating and precede the heavy fruit set.
• Seeds: Concentrated on the central placenta inside the fruit; as an open-pollinated heirloom, seeds saved from mature red fruits will grow true-to-type next season.

Growing Requirements

• Sun: Thrives in full sun; requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to set fruit and ripen properly.
• Soil: Prefers rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0; amending with compost encourages strong root development.
• Water: Requires consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruit set; uneven watering can lead to blossom end rot or lower yields.
• Spacing: Plant transplants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 24 to 30 inches apart to ensure adequate airflow and room for development.
• Maintenance: Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds; feed with a balanced fertilizer early in the season, avoiding excess nitrogen once fruits appear.

Shipping Info

California Wonder Pepper seeds ship as fresh, high-quality, viable seeds that are carefully packaged for stability and protection from damage during transit. Prompt shipping supports reliable germination and seasonally appropriate planting.