40-49 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Tender Bell Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, high yielding, sweet pepper with no heat levels. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Tender Bell Hybrid Sweet Pepper is an extra early maturing Japanese hybrid that produces glossy, thin-wall, sweet green bell peppers. The fruits are small, growing up to 3-4" in length and 30-40 grams in weight. It is hugely sought after and goes out of stock whenever there is a shortage of its seeds. Since it is early maturing, this is the perfect choice for regions with a shorter growing season. Ideal for fresh eating, Tender Bell is sure to be the star of your garden! This high producer can provide 50-100 bell peppers depending upon the length of the season. ~4,900 seeds/oz.

Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF

Latin Name: Capsicum annuum
Hardiness Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11.
Days to Maturity: 40-49 (from transplant)
Days to Germination: 7-10
Seeding Depth: 0.25 inch
Direct Sow: No
Start Indoors: Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers.
Pepper Pollination: Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production.
Pepper Type: Sweet - These peppers (think Bell Peppers) are almost all at 0 on the Scoville Scale, meaning that they have no heat at all. A handful of sweet peppers do register very low on the Scoville scale but are still classed as sweet peppers. For example, Pepperoncinis are sweet peppers but usually rank around 100 to 500 on the Scoville Scale.
Plant Spacing: 12-18 inches
Row Spacing: 24-36 inches
Plant Height: 24-36 inches
Plant Width: 12-18 inches
Growth Habit: Upright
Deer Resistant: No
Scoville Heat Units: 0
Heat Level: Sweet - Peppers with no heat. 0-99 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Bell Peppers.
Growth Speed: Very Early - Ready for harvest around 45 to 60 days from transplant.
Soil Preference: Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results.
Temperature Preference: Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range.
Germination Temperature: 80-90 F
Light Preference: Full Sun
Pests and Diseases: Resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents.
Tender Bell Hybrid Pepper Color: Green
Tender Bell Hybrid Pepper Flavor: Sweet
Garden Size: Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed
Pepper Use: Salads and Stir-Fries

Growing Tender Bell Hybrid Peppers in the Vegetable Garden

To start Tender Bell Hybrid Peppers, sow the seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. Pepper seeds should be sown at a depth of about .25 inch in a seed-starting mix. Using small pots or seed trays, place one seed per cell or pot. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and maintain a temperature of around 75-85 F (24-29 C) for optimal germination. Peppers require warmth to germinate, so consider using a heat mat if your indoor environment is cooler.

Once the seeds have germinated, which typically takes about 7-14 days, ensure they receive plenty of light. A sunny windowsill might suffice, but for best results, use fluorescent or LED grow lights positioned about 2-3 inches above the seedlings. Provide 14-16 hours of light daily to prevent the seedlings from becoming leggy.

Before transplanting your seedlings outdoors, they need to be hardened off. This process acclimates the young plants to the outdoor environment, reducing transplant shock. About 1-2 weeks before transplanting, start by placing the seedlings outside in a shaded area for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their exposure to sunlight and outdoor conditions. Bring them indoors at night or if the weather turns cold or windy.

When the danger of frost has passed, and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 55 F (13 C), your Tender Bell Hybrid Peppers are ready to be transplanted. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Peppers thrive in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to enhance fertility and drainage. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of your seedling. Carefully remove the plant from its pot, keeping the root system intact. Plant each seedling 18-24 inches apart in rows spaced 24-36 inches apart. Water the newly transplanted peppers thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

Peppers need consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruit development, requiring about 1-2 inches of water per week, and benefit from mulching to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize at planting with a balanced fertilizer, then side-dress with a balanced or slightly phosphorus-heavy slow-release or liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to promote robust growth and abundant fruiting, avoiding high-nitrogen fertilizers. Staking or caging the plants at the time of transplanting supports heavy yields, and while pruning is generally unnecessary, removing diseased or damaged leaves can improve air circulation and reduce disease risk.

Harvesting Tender Bell Hybrid Peppers

Tender Bell Hybrid Peppers are ready to harvest when they reach their full size and exhibit vibrant color, whether that be red, yellow, or orange, depending on the variety. The peppers will be firm to the touch. While you can harvest them when they are still green, allowing them to ripen fully will enhance their sweetness and nutritional content.

To harvest, use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the pepper from the plant, leaving a small portion of the stem attached. Avoid pulling or twisting the fruit, as this can damage the plant. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more fruit.

About Tender Bell Hybrid Pepper Garden Seeds

Tender Bell Hybrid Peppers are the result of careful breeding to combine desirable traits such as disease resistance, high yield, and superior flavor. These peppers are sweet rather than hot, making them versatile for a variety of culinary uses.

These peppers can be grown in containers, provided the pots are large enough (at least 5 gallons) and have good drainage. Container gardening is a great option for those with limited space or for urban gardeners. Ensure the containers receive adequate sunlight and are watered more frequently, as container soil can dry out faster than garden soil.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"I have found that pepper seedlings do best with more time than less. What I mean by this is if your region suggests starting pepper seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the final frost date, go for 8 or 9 weeks! They can be a bit slow to get going and will benefit from some extra time in the warmth, assuming they can have enough light.”

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

Scoville Heat Scale

Tender Bell Hybrid Pepper Seeds Per Package:

300 mg - Wholesale - Approximately 52 Seeds
.25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,225 Seeds
1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 4,900 Seeds
4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 19,600 Seeds
1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 78,400 Seeds

Non-GMO Tender Bell Hybrid Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.

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