Cal Wonder Sweet Bell Pepper, Heirloom Seeds

Cal Wonder Sweet Bell Pepper, Heirloom Seeds — The Gold Standard Heirloom Bell That Defined the American Garden

If there is one bell pepper that has defined the American kitchen garden for the better part of a century, it is Cal Wonder. Developed in California and beloved ever since, this thick-walled, blocky heirloom produces large, four-lobed fruits with walls nearly ¼ inch thick — the definitive stuffing pepper. Ripening from a deep, glossy green to a rich, candy-sweet red, Cal Wonder delivers crisp and grassy flavor at green, and deep complex sweetness at full red. Reliable, prolific, and true to type year after year. 0 SHU — zero heat. 75 days (green), 90 days (red).

Why Grow Cal Wonder?

• Classic American heirloom — the benchmark bell pepper for over 100 years
• Nearly ¼ inch thick walls — the definitive stuffing and roasting pepper
• Large, four-lobed blocky fruits — impressive size and presence at harvest
• Green to red ripening — two distinct flavor profiles from one plant
• 0 SHU — zero heat — pure, candy-sweet flavor
• Prolific and reliable — generous yields season after season
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

In the Kitchen

Stuff whole green peppers with rice, ground meat, or grains and bake until tender — the thick walls hold up beautifully. Roast halves under the broiler until caramelized and smoky-sweet. Slice raw into salads and crudité platters for sweet crunch. Dice into fajitas, stir-fries, and sautés. Preserve roasted red peppers in olive oil for winter. Freeze sliced for year-round use — thick walls hold up well in the freezer.

Growing Notes

Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Sow ¼ inch deep in fertile, well-draining soil (pH 6.0–6.8) under grow lights or in a warm location. Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed when soil has warmed — peppers are cold-sensitive. Space 18–24 inches apart in full sun. Stake or cage plants to support heavy fruit loads. Water consistently; avoid overwatering. Harvest green at 75 days for crisp flavor, or leave on the plant to ripen fully red at 90 days for peak sweetness.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.