When Are My Green Peppers Ripe?

Green Bell Varieites

• True green bell varieties are not fully mature until they turn a completely glossy green color. They are usually about 3 to 4 inches long and feel firm and crisp when ripe. Most green bell varieties turn red if left on the vine after they reach maturity. The red peppers are fine to eat, but may have a softer texture and lack slightly in taste.

Other Green Peppers

• Many other pepper varieties are green while they grow, but turn to one of many shades when they ripen. You may sometimes see peppers in colors of yellow, orange, brown or red. You can harvest the pepper when it's green and immature, but it may have more flavor or a better texture if you wait until it turns the appropriate color.

Other Ripeness Indicators

• Pepper varieties are mature when they pull easily from the plant. While this is true, less damage is incurred if you simply cut the pepper from the plant instead of pulling it. Look to your seed packets for approximate harvesting dates, as these are good guidelines as to when the peppers should ripen. Size is another indicator -- your seed packet may also specify the approximate ripened size for the variety.

Other Considerations

• It takes longer to grow a colored pepper. Allowing the peppers to grow to full maturity actually affects the plant's yield. When you pick the pepper while it's still green, the seed doesn't fully mature, so the plant produces more fruit. If you allow the peppers to completely ripen, the plant thinks it is done and doesn't need to grow more fruit. So picking the green peppers, even on colored varieties, actually increases your harvest.