Bull's Horn Capsicum

Capsicum annuum (nightshade)

Also known as: Corno di Toro, Cow Horn Capsicum, Bullhorn Capsicum

An old Italian heirloom named for its long, curved, horn-like shape — "corno di toro" translates literally to "horn of the bull." Slender, tapering fruit grow up to 20cm long on tall, prolific plants, ripening from green through to deep red, with thick, crisp, sweet flesh. A traditional favourite across Italy for frying, roasting, and grilling, and just as good fresh, sliced into salads or served alongside a cheese board.

Days to harvest 70-90 days
Fruit size Up to 20cm, curved, tapering horn shape
Sowing depth 5mm
Germination 10–14 days at 24–29°C
Spacing 45–50cm apart
Aspect Full sun, well-drained soil
Frost tolerance Frost sensitive — needs reliably warm nights

Growing notes

Choose a full-sun spot with good soil and shelter from wind — tall plants can be prone to wind damage once loaded with long fruit. Suits large pots from 30L

Soil preparation: Fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of compost worked in.

Support: Staking recommended — plants grow tall and the weight of long fruit can cause branches to bend or snap.

Watering & feeding: Water consistently and avoid letting plants dry out or sit waterlogged. Feed with a liquid fertiliser high in potassium once flowering begins.

Harvest: Pick regularly once fruit reaches full length to encourage continued production. Can be harvested green or left to ripen fully red for peak sweetness. Cut rather than pull to avoid damaging the plant.

Timing: Expect first harvest around 70–90 days after transplanting, with continued heavy cropping through the warm months.

Key features

  • Open-pollinated Italian heirloom
  • Long, curved, horn-shaped fruit to 20cm
  • Thick-walled, sweet, crisp flesh
  • Sweet flavour with no real heat
  • Excellent for frying, roasting, and grilling
  • Tall, prolific plants over a long season

Short season tips

Best started indoors on heat mats — this variety needs 24–29°C soil to germinate reliably. Sow 8–10 weeks before the last frost or purchase as 6–8-week-old seedlings. Transplant into the garden only once soil temperature has reliably warmed to at least 15°C. Avoid disturbing roots when transplanting — capsicums resent being moved and stall easily. Given the tall habit, stake early to support the plant as fruit begins to load up.

  • Spring
  • Summer

Tender perennial — most often grown as an annual

  • Basil (particularly good for capsicums) Marigolds Onion Parsley
  • Other nightshades (tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes) Fennel

Descended from sweet peppers brought to Italy following the Spanish and Portuguese introduction of capsicums from South America in the 15th and 16th centuries. Became a distinctly Italian type over subsequent generations of home-garden selection, prized for its shape, sweetness, and versatility, and later spread throughout Europe and beyond as Italian emigrants carried the seed with them.