Lipstick 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.

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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

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

Sources