The Different Types of Banana Pepper Plants

Banana peppers add a delicious kick of flavor and visual appeal to many dishes. While most people are familiar with the pickled sweet banana pepper rings that adorn pizzas and sandwiches there are actually many different varieties of banana pepper plants. From super mild to tongue-scorching hot these versatile peppers can be incorporated into recipes or displayed in the garden. Let’s explore some of the most popular types of banana pepper plants.

Sweet Banana Peppers

The most common and well-known banana pepper is the sweet type used for pickling. These are mild, about 500-1,000 on the Scoville scale, with a bright, tangy flavor. The long, plump peppers grow 5-6 inches long and ripen from green to yellow and then red.

Popular sweet varieties include

• Sweet Banana – Heirloom variety that bears lots of light yellow peppers. Great for pickling and fresh eating.

• Sweet Hungarian – Very prolific, produces high yields of 6 inch long fruits. Great for pickling

• Banana Supreme – Vigorous plants produce big yields of large, crunchy peppers perfect for pickling.

Sweet banana peppers are easy to find at garden centers in spring. Choose short, stocky transplants and plant after the last frost. The plants produce dozens of sweet, crunchy fruits perfect for relishes, salads, stuffing, and eating fresh off the bush.

Mildly Spicy Banana Peppers

If you like just a little kick of heat, look for banana pepper varieties in the 1,500-5,000 Scoville range. They add a nice mild spice without scorching your taste buds. Popular mildly hot options include:

• Hungarian Hot Wax – Heirloom pepper that is widely used for canning. Fruits are 5-6 inches long and ripen from yellow to red.

• Cubanelle – Produces big yields of 6 inch long curved fruits. Has a rich, smoky taste. Great for cooking.

• Bananarama – Yellow AAS winner pepper with a classic banana shape and mild heat. Very prolific.

Mild banana pepper plants have the same growing requirements as the sweeter varieties. Give them warm soil, full sun, and consistent moisture for bountiful harvests.

Hot Banana Pepper Cultivars

For those who love the heat, there are some banana pepper varieties that really turn up the spice! Ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 Scoville units, these peppers will make your taste buds dance. Some super hot options include:

• Hungarian Hot Wax – Can range from mild to hot depending on the strain. Look for fire-engine red fruits.

• Hot Hungarian – Heirloom variety with spice that rivals a jalapeño. Great for salsa and pickling.

• Inferno – Produces good yields of 8 inch long fruits that ripen from yellow to blazing red. Up to 40,000 Scoville units!

• Czech Black – Jet black color and searing heat. Fruits are 6 inches long with crunchy flesh.

• NuMex BaHaNu – New Mexican strain bred for hotness. Scoville rating of 30,000-50,000 units!

Grow these fiery banana pepper plants just like you would the milder types. Give them plenty of heat through the growing season to develop their full spicy potential.

Ornamental Banana Peppers

In addition to being delicious, many banana pepper plants are gorgeous enough to be used ornamentally in the garden. Some particularly attractive varieties include:

• Explosive Ember – Heavily productive plants with brilliant red fruit. Nice bushy shape.

• Sweet Banana – Bright yellow fruits stand out against the green foliage. Nice cascading shape.

• Aconcagua – Unique long fruits grow up to 12 inches! Lovely draping plants.

• Czech Black – Striking black fruits look stunning combined with green leaves and stems.

Use ornamental banana pepper plants in containers, borders or flower beds to add pops of color and texture. The fruits contrast beautifully with the leaves and flowers.

Growing Tips for Banana Pepper Plants

• Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before planting date. Transplant outdoors after danger of frost.

• Space plants 18-24 inches apart in full sun (6+ hours). Mulch around the base to retain moisture.

• Use well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic fertilizer. Maintain even moisture.

• Stake taller varieties if needed. Pinch back branches to encourage bushiness.

• Harvest peppers when firm and at desired color. The more you pick, the more the plant produces.

With proper care, banana pepper plants are easy to grow and will reward you with armloads of beautiful and delicious fruits! Adjust the heat level to your taste by selecting mild, medium, or sizzling hot varieties.

How to Use Banana Peppers

No matter which type you grow, banana peppers lend themselves to many wonderful uses:

• Pickle slices or rings to use on pizzas, sandwiches, salads and more

• Stuff larger peppers with cheeses, meats or rice mixtures and bake

• Grill or roast peppers and add to pasta, pizza, tacos and burgers

• Saute strips to use in fajitas, stir fries, omelets and pasta dishes

• Add fresh raw slices to green salads, coleslaw and potato salad

• Puree in salsas, dips, spice rubs and hot sauces

• To mellow heat, saute or roast peppers before using

• Preserve peppers through canning, freezing or dehydrating

With their fruity flavor and color, banana peppers are endlessly versatile in the kitchen. Adjust the type of pepper according to your preferred level of heat.

Recommended Banana Pepper Varieties

Here are some excellent banana pepper types for gardens in most regions:

Sweet – Sweet Banana, Banana Supreme, Sweet Hungarian

Mild – Hungarian Hot Wax, Cubanelle, Bananarama

Hot – Hungarian Hot Wax, Hot Hungarian, Inferno

Ornamental – Explosive Ember, Aconcagua, Czech Black

Container Growing – Sweet Banana, Bananarama, Explosive Ember

With the array of banana pepper varieties available today, there are excellent options for every climate and gardening space. Be sure to choose disease-resistant cultivars adapted to your growing zone.

Discover the joy of growing your own banana peppers this season! Their striking fruits will make a gorgeous addition to your garden and provide crunchy pop when added to recipes. With proper care and selection of suitable varieties, you can enjoy success with banana peppers year after year.