Pepper

Basic Information

Seed Number

160

Seed Name

Pepper

Variety

Red Lesya

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Feb 24

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

February, March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Feb 24 – Mar 10

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

10 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

75–85 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

75-85°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

18-24 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Maintain regular, even soil moisture; mulch can help stabilize moisture

Soil Preference

Rich, fertile, well-drained soil amended with compost

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

Compact, stocky habit

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Pepper Geek; Martha's Garden Seeds; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jun 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 70–85 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 3–5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Small flowers; self-pollinating but bees may visit
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary sweet pepper
Perennial?: Tender perennial; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: Start early indoors yearly; save seed only if isolated from other peppers.
Zone 6B Notes: Give fruit enough time to ripen fully red for best sweetness.
Companion Plants: Basil, onions, carrots, marigolds, nasturtiums, parsley
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Peppers need warm soil and nights. Rotate away from other nightshades; stake if fruit load becomes heavy.
Sources: Pepper Geek: https://peppergeek.com/lesya-pepper/ | Martha's Garden Seeds: https://www.marthasgardenseeds.com/product-page/pepper-plant-sweet-orange-lesya | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors 8-10 weeks before the May 5 frost date and transplant after frost once soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F.
Germination: Sow 1/4 inch deep at 75-85°F and keep the seed-starting medium evenly moist.
Harvest: Fruit is fully mature when it turns deep red. Lesya is a sweet, thick-walled, pointed heart-shaped pepper suited to fresh eating, roasting and stuffing.
Seed Saving: Collect seed from fully ripe deep-red fruit, dry thoroughly and store cool and dry. Capsicum annuum varieties can cross with nearby compatible peppers.
Special Care: Plants are compact but may benefit from support when heavily loaded with fruit.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/pepper-sweet-lesya — Capsicum annuum identity, 7-14 day germination, 75-85 day maturity, 70-85°F culture, 1/4-inch depth, 18-24 inch spacing, red ripe color, compact habit, 5-gallon container minimum and seed saving
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]