Cal Rose Sweet Pepper, Heirloom Seeds

Cal Rose, Sweet Pepper Seeds — The Heirloom Pimento With California Roots

Cal Rose is the pimento pepper that California made famous. Developed as an improvement on traditional pimento varieties, this compact, heart-shaped heirloom produces small to medium fruits with exceptionally thick, sweet flesh and a rich, concentrated flavor that makes it the definitive roasting and preserving pepper. The skin peels away effortlessly after roasting, revealing a tender, jewel-red interior with a sweetness so pure and intense it barely needs seasoning.

Compact plants make Cal Rose an excellent container variety, and its prolific nature ensures a generous harvest of these distinctive, flavorful fruits through the season. For gardeners who want to make their own roasted red peppers, pimento cheese, or preserved peppers in oil, Cal Rose is the starting point.

Why Grow Cal Rose?

• Classic California heirloom pimento — bred for thick flesh and exceptional flavor
• Exceptionally thick, sweet flesh — the definitive roasting and preserving pepper
• Compact, heart-shaped fruits — easy to roast, peel, and preserve whole
• Compact plants — excellent for containers and small-space gardens
• Open-pollinated — save seed year after year
• Non-GMO, USA-grown seeds

Growing Notes

Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in fertile, well-draining soil. Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed, spacing plants 18 inches apart or 1 per container in full sun. Water consistently. Allow fruits to ripen fully to red for peak sweetness and roasting quality.

Days to maturity: 75–80 days
Packet size: ~25+ seeds
Heat level: None (0 SHU)
Type: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
Spacing: 18 inches or 1 per container
Origin: US
Sun: Full sun
USDA Zones: 3–12