About this seed

Spicy Bell, also called Bishop's Crown, is a chili (Capsicum baccatum, family Solanaceae) with fruit shaped like a bishop's crown or a bell. The flesh is fruity and mild; the heat sits in the seeds and ribs, 5,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) overall. The packet holds 5 seeds.

Also known as: Chili pepper, Mirchi (Hindi), Milagai (Tamil), Mulaku (Malayalam), Chile (Spanish), Piment (French), Peperoncino (Italian), Pimenta (Portuguese), Chili (German), Prik (Thai).

Fruit and plant

Fruit: crown- or bell-shaped, 5–8 cm across, 15–20 g, thick crisp walls.
Colour: green, ripening to red.
Heat: 5,000–30,000 SHU, concentrated in the seeds and ribs.
Plant: tall and bushy, 90–120 cm.

Control the heat in the kitchen

Because the flesh is mild, removing the seeds and ribs gives a sweet, tangy pepper; leaving them in brings the heat. The shape suits stuffing and plating, and the fruit also pickles and dries for flakes.

Start indoors in warm soil

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost date and keep the soil at 24–30 °C until seedlings appear.

Planting out and harvest

Plant out when the weather is consistently warm, 50–60 cm apart in full sun. The plant grows tall, so give it room. Fruit typically matures 90–120 days after transplanting.

What you get

5 seeds of Hot Pepper Spicy Bell (Bishop's Crown).

FAQ

Is Bishop's Crown hot?

The flesh is mild; the seeds and ribs carry 5,000–30,000 SHU.

How tall does it grow?

90–120 cm.

How long to harvest?

About 90–120 days after transplanting.