Emerald Giant Capsicum

Capsicum annuum (nightshade)

Also known as: Emerald Giant Sweet Pepper, Emerald Giant Bell Pepper

A big American heirloom bred by USDA experts and released in 1963 as an improvement on the older Keystone Resistant Giant type. Vigorous, upright plants throw heavy yields of large, blocky four-lobed fruit with thick, crisp, sweet flesh — maturing from deep emerald green through to red. Bred for strong plant structure that can carry the weight of its own oversized crop, Emerald Giant remains a reliable, high-yielding choice for gardeners after genuinely large bell fruit over a long season.

Days to harvest 74-80 days
Fruit size 11–13cm x 9–10cm, blocky, four-lobed
Sowing depth 5mm
Germination 14–21 days at 24–32°C
Spacing 35–45cm apart
Aspect Full sun, moist well-drained soil
Frost tolerance Frost sensitive — needs reliably warm nights

Growing notes

Choose a full-sun spot with shelter from wind — the sheer size of the fruit puts real strain on branches once cropping begins. Upright 60–75cm habit suits large pots from 30L

Soil preparation: Deeply worked, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter; maintain a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

Support: Staking is strongly recommended — this variety's fruit size and heavy yields put considerable weight on the plant.

Watering & feeding: Water deeply but avoid overwatering. Feed with a liquid fertiliser high in potassium once flowering begins. Mulch to help with disease control and moisture retention.

Harvest: Pick early fruit promptly to encourage continued production. Can be harvested green through to fully ripe red. Cut rather than pull to avoid damaging stems.

Timing: Expect first harvest around 74–80 days after transplanting, with continued heavy cropping through the warm months.

Key features

  • Open-pollinated American heirloom, introduced 1963
  • Bred by USDA for strong, disease-tolerant plant structure
  • Large blocky, four-lobed fruit to 11–13cm
  • Thick-walled, crisp, sweet flesh
  • Matures from emerald green to red
  • Heavy, long-season cropper

Short season tips

Best started indoors on heat mats — capsicums need 24–32°C soil to germinate. Sow 8–10 weeks before the last frost or purchase as 6–8-week-old seedlings. Transplant into the garden when soil temperature has reliably warmed to at least 15°C. Avoid disturbing roots when transplanting — capsicums resent being moved and stall easily. Given the size of the mature plant and fruit load, stake early rather than waiting until the plant is already carrying a heavy crop.

  • Spring
  • Summer

Tender perennial — most often grown as an annual

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

Bred by USDA researchers and released to the seed trade in 1963 as an improved version of the older Keystone Resistant Giant type, itself developed by Northrup, King & Co. Selected specifically for a sturdy plant structure able to support unusually large, heavy fruit, it became a Southern-growing standard for gardeners wanting genuinely oversized blocky peppers without sacrificing sweetness or crop reliability.