How to Grow Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet'
Capsicum chinense 'Aji Dulce'
Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet' is a beloved heirloom pepper from the Capsicum chinense species. Gardeners prize it for its unique sweet flavor profile that resembles fruit rather than traditional spicy heat, making it ideal for sauces and fresh eating.
📷 Wikipedia: Capsicum chinenseStarting Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet': indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet' is not usually started indoors.
Do not start indoors; plant seedlings or sow seeds directly outdoors only after the last frost date has passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your soil to ensure a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before planting. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil is thoroughly warm to sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings. Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep; germination typically takes 7 to 21 days depending on temperature consistency.
Space plants 20 to 24 inches apart in full sun, ensuring they receive at least six hours of light daily. While staking is optional for smaller varieties, providing support helps prevent fruit drop as the plant grows up to 30 inches tall. Water consistently with about one inch per week and apply mulch around the base to retain moisture.
Watch for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and pepper maggots, treating infestations early with organic sprays. Prevent bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, and mosaic virus by rotating crops and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest fruits 85 to 95 days after planting when they reach full size and desired color.
When to Plant Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet'
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May | — | October – August |
| Zone 2 | April – May | — | October – September |
| Zone 3 | April | — | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | — | September – October |
| Zone 5 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March | — | August – October |
| Zone 7 | February – March | — | August – October |
| Zone 8 | February | — | July – September |
| Zone 9 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January | — | June – August |
| Zone 11 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 12 | January | — | May – July |
| Zone 13 | January | — | May – July |
Companion Plants for Aji Dulce 'Venezuelan Sweet'
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially enhancing pepper flavor
Different root depths prevent competition and carrots help break up soil
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Similar growing requirements and can share support structures
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone which is toxic to peppers and causes stunted growth
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt pepper growth through root competition
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most garden plants including peppers
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
