Pepper

Basic Information

Seed Number

208

Seed Name

Pepper

Variety

Bishops Crown

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Solanaceae

Plant Type

Bishop's Crown chile pepper (Capsicum baccatum)

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 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

February, March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Feb 10 – Mar 10

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

12 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–21 days

Harvest/Maturity

90–100 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

80-90°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

18 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Maintain regular moisture through flowering and fruit set

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

7–10+ gal with support

Plant Height

3-4 ft

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 Joe's; Sandia Seed; 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 early; transplant after frost and warm nights
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 10
Germination Time: About 7–21 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 90–100 days from transplant
Container Friendly: Yes, 7–10+ gal with support
Pollinator Friendly: Self-pollinating; bees may improve fruit set
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary hot pepper
Perennial?: Tender perennial; grown as an annual in Zone 6B
Succession / Reusable Notes: One very early indoor sowing is best; isolate from compatible peppers if saving pure seed.
Zone 6B Notes: Start very early indoors so fruit can mature before fall frost.
Companion Plants: Basil, carrots, onions, lettuce and pollinator flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Long-season plant that can grow several feet tall. Rotate away from other nightshades. Fruit has variable heat; wash hands after handling cut fruit/seeds.
Sources: Pepper Joe's: https://pepperjoe.com/products/bishops-crown-pepper-seeds | Sandia Seed: https://www.sandiaseed.com/products/bishop-crown | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Bishop's Crown is a relatively long-season Capsicum baccatum, so start indoors approximately 10-12 weeks before the May 5 last frost.
Germination: Use standard warm pepper germination conditions around 80-90°F.
Harvest: Fruit ripens from green to red. The unusual winged pods have fruity, sweet flavor with variable medium heat.
Seed Saving: Save seed from fully ripe red peppers and isolate from other compatible Capsicum baccatum varieties if maintaining purity.
Special Care: Also known as Bishop's Hat, Bishop's Cap, Christmas Bell or Joker's Hat. Plants typically reach about 3-4 feet.
Research Source: Pepper Joe's — https://pepperjoe.com/products/bishops-crown-pepper-seeds — Bishop's Crown identity, 3-4 foot height, green-to-red ripening, distinctive crown shape, fruity sweetness and medium heat
Research Source: USDA GRIN / Bishop's Crown accession reference — https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/accessiondetail?id=1392910 — Bishop's Crown as a Capsicum baccatum-type accession
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/peppers/peppers-key-growing-information.html — pepper seed-starting temperature, depth, spacing and transplant culture
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]