Capsicum ‘Sweet Banana’ Seeds

Capsicum ‘Sweet Banana’ (Capsicum annuum). Celebrated since the 1930s as a favorite heirloom pepper variety, this highly productive capsicum yields long, tapered, banana-shaped fruits reaching 15–20cm in length with thick, crisp walls and a wonderfully mild, sweet taste.

As the peppers mature, they stage a captivating color transformation in the garden—shifting from a pale translucent yellow to warm orange, and finally ripening into a deep crimson red. Highly versatile in the kitchen, 'Sweet Banana' peppers can be harvested early at the yellow stage for a mild, crisp bite or left to fully ripen for peak sweetness. They are an absolute staple for fresh salads, stir-fries, stuffing, roasting, pickling, and summer barbecues.

• Vibrant Color Progression: Watch fruits turn from pale yellow to bright orange and deep scarlet red.

• Exceptionally High Yields: Compact, sturdy bushes set continuous heavy crops throughout the warm season.

• Mild & Sweet Flavor: Thick, crunchy walls with zero heat—ideal for fresh snacking, kids' lunches, and cooking.

• Kitchen Versatility: Outstanding for pickling rings, stuffing, roasting, grilling, or slicing into fresh salads.

• Compact Growth Habit: Thrives in garden beds, raised beds, and urban container gardens alike.

Growing Information (Australia):

• Scientific Name: Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana'

• Plant Type: Warm-season Annual (Compact bush)

• Growth Habit: Branching Bush (Determinate/Bush type—does not vine, though heavy fruit loads benefit from a small stake)

• Sowing Season:

  • Temperate/Cool (e.g., Victoria, Tasmania): Early Spring to Early Summer (raise seedlings indoors 8–10 weeks before the last expected frost).

  • Subtropical: Late Winter through Autumn.

  • Tropical: Autumn to Mid-Winter (avoiding heavy wet season peaks).

• Sun Position: Full Sun (requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily in warm, sheltered spots).

• Sowing Depth: 5mm–6mm deep.

• Plant Spacing: 40cm–50cm apart between plants.

• Plant Height: 50cm–70cm tall.

• Germination Temp: 22°C–30°C.

• Germination Time: 10–21 days.

• Seed to Bloom/Harvest Time: 65–75 days from transplanting (for yellow harvest); 85–95 days (for full red maturity).

• Gardener’s Tip: Start seeds early on a heat mat to ensure strong, warm germination. Stake young plants early to support heavy, fruit-laden branches as they mature. Harvest regularly using clean snips to promote continuous flowering and new pepper set throughout summer and autumn.