California Wonder Pepper
Also known as Cal Wonder · California Wonder Bell · California Wonder 300 TMR
Iconic 1928-introduced heirloom sweet bell pepper that set the standard for large, thick-walled, prolific stuffing peppers in home gardens and markets.
Growing
~75 days to maturity
Fruit size
9–12 cm
Flavor & Use
Crisp, sweet, fresh garden flavor with mild grassy notes when green; noticeably sweeter and more developed when fully ripe red.
Culinary
About
California Wonder is the classic American heirloom sweet bell pepper. Tall, sturdy plants produce abundant large, blocky, thick-walled fruits that start glossy green and ripen to vibrant red. The flesh is crisp, tender, and sweet with excellent flavor whether eaten green or fully ripe.
Backstory
Introduced around 1928 by California growers/seed developers (heirloom selection that quickly became the American standard), this open-pollinated variety gained popularity for its size, sweetness, productivity and wide adaptability during the early 20th century vegetable gardening boom.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreCalifornia Wonder Pepper is a traditional landrace.
1928
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is California Wonder Pepper?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 0 SHU (Lab-verified). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat
- What does California Wonder Pepper taste like?
- Crisp, sweet, fresh garden flavor with mild grassy notes when green; noticeably sweeter and more developed when fully ripe red.
- How do I grow California Wonder Pepper?
- California Wonder Pepper: about 75 days to maturity, warm season / temperate to subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 9-11.
- What can I substitute for California Wonder Pepper?
- Yolo Wonder, King of the North, any standard sweet bell peppers