Alma Paprika Sweet Peppers

Grow your own vibrant paprika spice with these sweet, thick-walled peppers perfect for drying and grinding into premium homemade paprika powder. These beautiful peppers ripen from green to deep red and offer mild, sweet flavor with zero heat – ideal for gardeners who want to create their own fresh spice blends.

Growing Information

• Days to maturity: 70-85 days from transplant
• Planting: Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; transplant when soil temperature reaches 65°F
• Spacing: 18-24 inches apart in rows 24-30 inches apart
• Sun: Full sun (6-8 hours daily)
• Zones: 3-11 (warm-season annual)

Harvest & Use

Harvest when peppers turn fully red and feel firm to the touch. The thick walls and sweet flavor make these perfect for drying and grinding into paprika powder, roasting for smoky flavor, or using fresh in salads and cooking. String peppers together and hang in a warm, dry location for traditional air-drying, or use a dehydrator for faster results. Once dried, grind into powder for authentic, fresh paprika.

Care Tips

Paprika peppers thrive in warm, well-drained soil with consistent moisture and regular feeding. Mulch around plants to maintain even soil temperature and reduce water stress. Plants grow 20-24 inches tall and typically don't require staking. Companion plant with basil, marigolds, or onions for natural pest management and optimal garden health.

Why Choose Paprika Peppers

This specialty variety offers exceptional flavor and versatility for home spice production. Whether you're creating sweet paprika powder, smoked paprika, or using fresh peppers in cooking, this productive variety delivers superior quality and authentic flavor that far surpasses store-bought alternatives.