Plant types

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Nurseries & Gardens

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Golden Rocoto

Scientific Name: Capsicum pubescens 'Golden'

Plant type

shrub, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 5'-6'
W: 3'-4'

planting zones

9b-12

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Golden Rocoto plant details

Golden Rocoto is a broadleaf evergreen fruit / vegetable or shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer purple flowers emerge followed by orange and yellow fruit. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Golden Rocoto

Plant type: fruit / vegetable or shrub
Plant family: solanaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 4 FT - wide, 5 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, edible

GROWING CONDITIONS for Golden Rocoto

USDA Zones: 9b - 12
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

While most garden peppers are annuals, this perennial pepper will over-winter & become a 6’ shrub. It has been grown in Peru & Bolivia for 5000 years & last year I was fortunate to receive peppers from Joe Carrasco, all grown from seed he brought back to California from Bolivia. The large (& very beautiful) yellow fruit has thick flesh like a Bell Pepper, though variable in heat, it is a HOT pepper with great flavor. Joe recommends growing it in a barrel during its first year & planting it in the garden next year. Have a trellis ready to support the branches & the fruit. It prefers some shade but is OK in sun & while fairly hardy, it will get damaged by hard frost. Grows very well in Sunset Zone 17, protect it if the temperatures go below 30F. In Spring cut back by 1/3 & remove any damaged branches.