Chinese Giant

Chinese Giant is a sweet bell pepper developed in the United States. Despite the name, it is not a Chinese variety. Multiple sources describe it as an American introduction, with the “Chinese” name used in early seed marketing, sometimes linked to the appearance or colour of the ripe fruit rather than origin.

Plants are commonly listed at 45.5–61 cm tall. Fruit are large, pendant bells that ripen from green to bright red. Typical pod size ranges from 10–15 cm long and 7.5–10 cm wide. The fruit are thick-walled and widely used for stuffing.

Maturity is generally midseason. Most listings place it around 70–80 days after transplanting, with some sources extending to about 85 days depending on growing conditions and strain.

Historical references link the variety to Burpee in the early 1900s. Some sources state it was introduced in 1900, while others cite a 1902 Burpee catalogue listing and heritage material referencing a 1902 catalogue cover. These dates align within a narrow window of early 20th century introduction.