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
California Wonder Pepper is a traditional landrace.
1928
Bosland’s HortScience paper quotes the 1937 USDA Yearbook calling California Wonder a 1928 selection by an unnamed California grower and names no parents. Established catalogs date the heirloom to 1928; claimed introducers conflict and stay unproven.