Boldog Hungarian Paprika Pepper Seeds

Grow Boldog Hungarian Spice paprika for a harvest of vivid red peppers with sweet, gently warm flavor. The wrinkled, tapered fruits reach about 4–6 inches long and are especially well suited to drying and grinding into fragrant paprika. Pick some fresh for soups, sauces, and stews, then dry the rest for your pantry.

At a glance

• Variety: Boldog Hungarian Spice paprika
• Botanical name: Capsicum annuum
• Days to maturity: Approximately 71 days
• Fruit: Wrinkled, tapered pods about 4–6 inches long
• Flavor: Sweet with mild warmth
• Best uses: Fresh cooking, drying, and grinding into paprika
• Available sizes: 10, 25, or 100 seeds

Start seeds indoors

Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep in warm, moist seed-starting mix 8–10 weeks before your last expected frost. Pepper seeds need warmth to germinate; a heat mat can help keep the mix around 80–85°F. Germination may take 1–4 weeks. Keep the mix moist but not waterlogged, and allow air to circulate.

Grow and care

Harden seedlings off gradually before transplanting outdoors after frost danger has passed and nights stay warm. Choose a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently during dry spells and mulch around plants to help conserve moisture.

Harvest and enjoy

Cut peppers from the plant with scissors or pruners when they reach full red for drying and grinding. Dry whole peppers or hang them in bunches until ready to make paprika. Fresh Boldog peppers also add color and mild, sweet pepper flavor to soups, stews, sauces, and roasted vegetables.