Red bell peppers represent the premium end of the greenhouse pepper market, delivering average yields of about 30 kg/m² (6.1 lbs/sq.ft.). Distinguished by their vibrant red color, full maturity, and higher sweetness (Brix values of 8–12), red peppers typically require 30–45 additional days of maturation compared to green peppers. Each fruit usually weighs 180–220 grams (6.3–7.7 oz), benefiting from precise greenhouse climate management—temperatures maintained at 18–25°C (64–77°F) and humidity around 65–85%. The longer ripening period and enhanced sweetness significantly increase their market value, enabling growers to capture premium prices and strong consumer demand despite the longer production cycle and higher cultivation costs.
Red Peppers
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Nutrient Profile of Greenhouse-Grown Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers ripened on the plant in greenhouses develop their full antioxidant potential and natural sweetness. Free from pesticides and transported locally, they retain their high vitamin A and C content while offering long shelf life and reliable quality.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size 100g
|
Amount Per Serving |
31 |
|
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 0.3g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% | |
| Trans Fat 0g | 0% | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% | |
| Sodium 2mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 6.0g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber 2.1g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars 4.2g | ||
| Protein 1.0g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium 7mg | 0% | |
| Iron 0.4mg | 2% | |
| Potassium 211mg | 4% | |
| Vitamin A 3131 IU | 62% | |
| Vitamin C 127.7mg | 141% | |
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Genetics Varieties & Breeding Companies
Modern greenhouse crops are the result of advanced breeding, combining traits like high yield, pest and disease resistance, uniformity, and quality characteristics such as taste, firmness, and shelf life. Below are top-performing varieties from leading seed suppliers and breeding companies. While traits like Brix and fruit weight vary with climate, substrate, and grower technique, these genetics offer a strong foundation for high-performance greenhouse production. Always consult the supplier when selecting varieties.
Red Bell Pepper Varieties
| Variety | Supplier | Fruit Size | Weight | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redwing | Rijk Zwaan | Blocky 3–4 lobes | 200g+ / 7oz+ | Thick walls, uniform color, good under stress |
| Viper | Enza | Blocky XL | 220g+ / 7.8oz+ | Strong plant, high fruit weight, consistent across cycles |
| Sven RZ | Rijk Zwaan | Square blocky | 210g+ / 7.4oz+ | Vigorous growth, early setting, short internodes |
| DRA 4160 | Bayer | Standard blocky | 190g+ / 6.7oz+ | Compact canopy, good under artificial light |
| Axired | Axia Seeds | Classic blocky | 200g+ / 7oz+ | Thick walls, good shelf life, export quality |
⚠️ Note: Red peppers require longer ripening times than green. Select early or mid-maturing types based on your greenhouse climate and labor availability.
Crop Requirements
Understanding the growing conditions of red bell peppers is essential to planning a greenhouse that performs. Below you'll find the core climate, lighting, and packaging guidelines for red bell peppers — based on what works in modern, high-performance GrowPro systems.
Temperature
- Optimal 24-hour average: 21–24°C (70–75°F)
- Minimum temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Maximum temperature: 32°C (89°F)
- Temperature sensitivity: ●●●●○ (High)
Lighting
- Optimal DLI: 22–30 mol/m²/day
- Light sensitivity: ●●●◐○ (Moderate)
- Supplemental lighting options: LED or HPS top-lighting, interlighting optional (80–200 µmol/m²/s)
Humidity
- Target relative humidity: 65–80%
- Humidity sensitivity: ●●●◐○ (Moderate)
Packaging Options
- To Consumers: Flow packs, shrink-wrap trays, loose 3-packs
- To Farm Shops: Paperboard crates, open bins, multi-color assortments
- To Restaurants: Bulk boxes, RPC crates, loose by color or mixed
Cultivation Method – Greenhouse-Grown Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers are grown in advanced hydroponic greenhouse systems where they can fully ripen on the plant. Dutch Greenhouses enables climate and irrigation control to support color development, yield, and shelf life. Soil-based cultivation may still occur locally, but hydroponics remains the preferred method for consistent quality and scalability. Structured crop data follows below.
Cultivation Method – Greenhouse-Grown Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers are grown in advanced hydroponic greenhouse systems where they can fully ripen on the plant. Dutch Greenhouses enables climate and irrigation control to support color development, yield, and shelf life. Soil-based cultivation may still occur locally, but hydroponics remains the preferred method for consistent quality and scalability. Structured crop data follows below.
Red Peppers: Standardized Systems with Built-in Support
Support that starts and scales with you.
Greenhouse Models
All Red Bell Pepper crops are supported by GrowPro’s pre-engineered greenhouse models. Whether you're entering the market with 2 acres or expanding toward full-scale production, the Expert and Plus Series offer the layout, ventilation, and labor access needed for high-quality, consistent pepper cultivation.
Technology ↔ Crop
Red bell peppers are cultivated on hydroponic hanging gutters, typically installed in double-row configurations for balanced growth. GrowPro adapts this professional production system to a standardized format, ensuring clean fruit development and a controlled environment with minimal complexity.
Guided Growing
GrowPro’s Guided Growing program blends AI tools, real-world grower experience, and crop-specific training to help pepper growers maintain performance across regions and production scales. It’s built to support consistency — whether you're starting fresh or professionalizing an existing setup.
FAQ: Growing Red Bell Peppers in Greenhouses
Red bell peppers are known for their sweetness, high vitamin content, and visual appeal in retail.
This FAQ is tailored to growers and investors evaluating red peppers as a stable, high-quality greenhouse crop with consistent yield and strong market demand.
Red peppers yield about 30 kg/m²/year, similar to other colors. The key difference is their longer ripening time, which can slightly extend crop cycles.
Red peppers are left on the plant 2–3 weeks longer than green peppers, allowing them to fully develop their sweetness, color, and antioxidant content.
Red peppers are grown on substrate gutters with vertical trellising, supported by high-roof greenhouse models like GrowPro Expert and Plus.
Each fruit weighs around 180–220 grams, with strong skin firmness and a thick wall ideal for export and processing.
Red peppers are harvested weekly once the crop starts, but fewer total picks occur compared to green peppers due to ripening intervals.
Target temperatures of 20–26°C (68–79°F) with 800–1000 ppm CO₂ help maximize color development and fruit density. Ventilation and light steering are key.
Not harder, but they require more patience and post-set climate control, since ripening on the plant means more exposure to humidity and pests. Proper screening and humidity management are essential.