How hot is Lipstick Pepper?

Capsi’s sourced range is 0–500 SHU (Vendor Claim). 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

How do I grow Lipstick Pepper?

Lipstick Pepper: about 75 days to maturity, temperate cool-tolerant climate, full sun, hardiness zones annual / 9-11.

What can I substitute for Lipstick Pepper?

pimento peppers, red bell peppers, other sweet pimento varieties

Lipstick Pepper (Lipstick Chile Pepper)

Also known as Lipstick Chile Pepper · Sweet Lipstick Pepper

Lipstick Pepper is a sweet, heatless pimento-type cultivar of Capsicum annuum known for its elongated, lipstick-shaped red fruits that ripen early and perform well in cooler northern climates.

Growing

~75 days to maturity

Fruit size

8–10 cm

Flavor & Use

Super sweet with thick, crisp, juicy flesh and zero heat; reminiscent of classic pimento but more elongated and pointed.

sweetfruityjuicymild

Culinary

fresh saladsroastingstuffingsandwichesraw snacking

About

Lipstick peppers are elongated, tapered, conical fruits approximately 4 inches long with thick, juicy, crisp flesh and smooth glossy skin. They start green and mature to a vibrant, deep red. Completely sweet with no heat, they offer a super-sweet flavor profile ideal for fresh eating, roasting, stuffing, or adding to salads and sandwiches. The compact plants produce abundantly even in shorter seasons, making them a favorite for northern gardeners. As a pimento variant, they share the mild, fruity sweetness of traditional pimentos but in a pointed rather than flattened shape. They are highly productive, adaptable, and prized for their early maturity and rich color.

Backstory

Developed in 1987 by Rob Johnston of Johnny's Selected Seeds as a pimento-type pepper specifically for sweetness, thick flesh, and reliable performance in cooler northern climates of North America.

Appearance

ShapeElongated tapered conical

ColorGreen · Red

Size8–10 cm

WallThick

SkinGlossy

Growing

SunFull

WaterModerate

ClimateTemperate cool-tolerant

Days to maturity75 days

Plant height60–90 cm

Soil pH5.5–7

Germination7–14 days

Spacing45 cm

HardinessZones annual / 9-11

Heritage

Explore

We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.

Sources

FAQ

How hot is Lipstick Pepper?: Capsi’s sourced range is 0–500 SHU (Vendor Claim). 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 Lipstick Pepper taste like?: Super sweet with thick, crisp, juicy flesh and zero heat; reminiscent of classic pimento but more elongated and pointed.
How do I grow Lipstick Pepper?: Lipstick Pepper: about 75 days to maturity, temperate cool-tolerant climate, full sun, hardiness zones annual / 9-11.
What can I substitute for Lipstick Pepper?: pimento peppers, red bell peppers, other sweet pimento varieties