How to Tell When Banana Peppers Are Ripe

So you have taken the plunge into growing banana peppers and your green thumb has worked for you so far, but you just don’t know when to pick the fruits of your labor. Read on for a few tips to know when it’s time to pluck the sweet peppers from the plant.

Things You'll Need

• Banana pepper plant(s)

Instructions

1. Keep an eye on the calendar. Banana peppers can be harvested after about 75 days.

2. Look at the size of the pepper. Banana peppers are mature at around 4 to 6 inches. There are exceptions, however so keep an eye out for other factors.

3. Consider color. Peppers can be picked when they turn completely yellow or become a mix of yellow and red. If left on the vine too long, some peppers will turn a bright, vibrant red.

4. Understand that once the right size and color, banana peppers should also feel slightly firm. If the pepper feels too firm, give it some more time to ripen. If the pepper becomes soft and flimsy, chances are it has over-ripened.

5. If you feel you have harvested your peppers too soon, don’t fear. They will continue to ripen even when plucked from the plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Harvesting or pruning the pepper plant once a week when they produce fruit can lead to a steady harvest all season long.