Tomato peppers: plants, care & varieties

A tomato pepper is not a cross between a tomato and a pepper, but a pepper that is similar in shape to a tomato.

Tomato peppers are varieties of paprika (Capsicum annum), the tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), or rather beefsteak tomatoes, look confusingly similar. In this article you will find out what characterizes the tomato pepper and what you have to pay attention to when growing it.

Tomato peppers: origin and properties

Tomato peppers are also known as parade peppers in some regions. Originally from Hungary, this type of pepper differs from others in shape, size and taste types of peppers.
Many of the tomato pepper varieties have a slightly thicker skin and taste sweeter. The size is similar to a beefsteak tomato.

The best tomato pepper varieties

If you also want to buy a tomato pepper, you will notice that there are many different varieties, but that the suppliers of young plants and seeds often do not name the varieties. We have put together a selection of tomato pepper varieties for you here, all of which are also suitable for outdoor cultivation:

• ˈTommyˈ: Harvest time from about July; aromatic-sweet taste; very productive, thick-walled variety

• ˈTop Girlˈ: harvest around August; medium-sized fruits; sweet to savory

• ‘Topepo Rosso’: Ready to harvest from around August; sweet taste; flat, 8 – 10 cm large fruits

• ˈSzuszannaˈ: Harvest around July; very cute; quite small in stature and therefore well suited for pot culture

• ˈTopepo Gialloˈ: Harvest time around August; rather sweet and juicy; yellow-gold maturation

• ‘Chocolateˈ: Ready for harvest around August; mild, aromatic; short stature large, brown fruits

Plant and grow tomato peppers yourself

Like other pepper varieties, the tomato pepper varieties like a sunny location with humus-rich, loose, nutrient-rich soil. Pot culture is also particularly suitable for tomato peppers. When planting, it is best to use a pre-fertilized, high-quality soil such as our peat-free soil Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil, so that your plants have enough nutrients available right from the start. Ensure adequate drainage by mixing in about 30% of the soil with expanded clay, gravel or other coarse material.

Tomato peppers can be preferred, although sowing should take place between February and April. The sowing depth is about 1 cm. At 25 °C and high humidity, the plants will germinate after 10 to 14 days. As soon as the young plants have formed two real leaves after the two cotyledons, they can be pricked out in a more nutrient-rich soil. They are planted outdoors from the beginning of May, although earlier planting in a greenhouse is also possible.

The right care

Paprika is a heavy feeder and therefore needs a little more nutrients. Depending on whether you grow your tomato peppers in a pot or in a bed, you can fertilize with either granular or liquid fertilizer. Our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer With its long-term effect, it is very well suited, for example, to your tomato peppers directly when To supply plants with the right nutrients and this supply for about 3 months to maintain. Helpful tips on Fertilizing peppers can be found in a separate article.

In order for the pepper plant to develop a little more in width, it is a tried and tested practice to break out the king flower - i.e. the first flower. Make sure to water the tomato peppers regularly, especially during dry periods, but avoid waterlogging. more on the subject Growing and caring for peppers can be found in our special article.

harvest and use

Depending on when the tomato peppers were planted, you can expect a harvest between August and October. Depending on the variety, the fruits should then be completely red, yellow or brown in color and have a smooth skin.

Tomato peppers are used in various dishes, so they can often be bought pickled. Like normal peppers, tomato peppers are suitable for fresh consumption, cooking, for salads, soups or stews.

If you have harvested your tomato peppers and do not want to eat them right away, it makes sense to store them. As you at Storage and preservation of peppers We have summarized the best way to proceed in a separate article for you.