Lesya Peppers – An Incredibly Sweet Bell Alternative
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If you’re looking for a sweet and delicious pepper to grow, you may want to try the lesya pepper. This large, heart-shaped variety is known for having incredibly sweet flesh.
Bell peppers are much more popular here in the US, but in the Ukraine, the lesya pepper is cultivated and well known. Thankfully, we can buy seeds and grow our own lesya peppers to experience the rich, sweet flavor for ourselves.
So in this article, I’ll share everything we know about the lesya pepper, including its origins, flavor, growing info, and where to get seeds. Let’s get started!
Get lesya seeds:
About Lesya Peppers
If the look alone doesn’t intrigue you, maybe a bit of backstory will. The lesya variety was bred in Ukraine in the early 2000s. Nadiya Filimonivna Bilous is credited with breeding the lesya for 9 years before the variety was considered stable.
The goal was to create a thick-walled, juicy and sweet pepper that had a teardrop shape. This is exactly what we got with the lesya, and the resulting fruits are stunning in the garden.
Now, there is even a yellow lesya variety that you can grow for a different look and flavor in the garden. If you don’t like the deep richness of red pepper, try growing the yellow variety.
However, we did have some pest issues with our yellow plants, along with the same problems we’ll discuss below. Still, the beautiful peppers were worth a shot:
Lesya Pepper Flavor
If you’re looking for one of the best tasting peppers, the lesya should be on your grow list. This incredibly sweet, juicy pepper is packed with natural sugars.
The taste is very similar to a red bell pepper, but elevated in terms of sweetness. There is almost no bitterness, especially with the inner pith and seeds removed.
It is best to allow your lesya peppers to turn red before picking for the best flavor. This takes longer, but the wait is well worth it!
Lesya pepper uses:
- Stuffing
- Roasting
- Eating fresh or in salads
- Mild salsas
- Fermentation and pickling
Growing Lesya Peppers
One drawback of the lesya is that we ran into some issues growing them. Namely, the fruits would often split, and several had blossom end rot. This may not be an issue for all, but keep it in mind when considering this variety.
Otherwise, the lesya plant was relatively easy to grow and had no problem supporting the weight of its fruits, even without support. The plants are compact, about 2′ tall, and typically hold 6-8 full-sized fruits at a time.
With a long enough growing season, a single plant could produce several dozen peppers under ideal conditions. This makes the lesya a fairly low maintenance and highly productive variety, assuming you don’t run into the issues we had.
The lesya pepper is is a gorgeous variety that is certainly a head-turner in the vegetable garden. If you have a spot for an extra pepper this year, the lesya pepper may be the perfect pick for you.
Calvin
One of the original Pepper Geeks! When Calvin isn’t gardening or learning more about peppers and botany, he might be traveling new places or playing some music.
How long does it take to turn from green to orange? I’m growing them under grow lights and it seems to be taking forever or I might can be inpatient. I tasted them green and they are disgusting raw that is.
Sweet peppers can take a while to ripen fully – it’s just a matter of waiting! It is usually around 1 month or so after the peppers reach a full size.
Can these peppers be grown in containers?
Absolutely, I would recommend at least 5 gallons of soil space for a good harvest.
My favorite pepper; when fully ripe they are shiny, heavy and beautifully colored on the outside and deeply red on the inside like a huge ripe strawberry, and the sweetness has no comparison with any other sweet pepper. Being so sweet, once sliced they seldom make it into a pot; — most go straight into the mouth. Very thick walled. I’m growing in 9B (San Joaquin County, California). I’ve never had blossom end rot or any insect issues. Originally bought from Baker’s Creek but last two years have grown from seeds I’ve collected from the best and sweetest picked. This is one pepper that if you want sweetness, don’t pick before it’s fully bright red and ripe.
You’re definitely right about the flavor being second to none! So tasty, I just wish they would be a bit more resilient to wet weather.
I have grown these for past 2 years, with seeds from Baker Creek. By far, our favorite bell type sweet pepper! They are excellent stuffed, and end of season when that first hard frost comes and fruits all must be picked, I stuff these and freeze. They thaw and bake beautifully!
I have had no issues with pests or disease of any kind. They are a powerhouse in the garden and once the heat here in Texas abates a little, they come on even more super strong with dozens per plant. Keeper!
That’s great, thanks for sharing. In our experience, they’ve been productive, but often had issues with blossom end rot. But the plants are compact and loaded with fruits!
Fantastic peppers! I’m growing them in my conservatory, they are thriving and each one has 4 or 5 large peppers ripening on it and it’s only early June in the UK. The plants look super healthy, I’ve had no problems at all. Have already tasted a ripe one and they’re delicious; sweet and crunchy with thick walls. Amazing when roasted with olive oil and a good balsamic vinegar.
This is the first year I’ve attempted to plant peppers from seed with the Lesya being one of 3 varieties I selected. Bought mine from Baker Creek. After germinating I’m growing them outdoors in a hydroponic set up a container, and a raised bed. They all appear to be doing well and starting to flower.They do seem to be rather short compared so other varieties I’m growing. It’s still rather cool in SF Bay Area after an usually wet winter.
I found these on Baker Creek’s site a year or two ago and thought they looked cool but this year will be the first time I grow them. I’ve read only positive reviews including this one.
@Jim, It’s an excellent variety. I’ve grown them for 3 years now and have never had an issue with blossom end rot or anything. They set lots of fruit close to the main stem. When they are young the first fruits are on the ground. I always let them turn red. I think you’ll love them.
I’m going to grow these for the first time this year. I started some from seed and have way too many plants. I am sure I can give some away.