Description

Pastel charm with classic crunch. Lilac Bell ripens through a unique lavender-lilac stage before maturing red—zero heat (0 SHU)—bringing garden sweetness and show-stopping color to salads and market baskets. Harvest at lilac for crisp, mild sweetness, or wait for full red to deepen the flavor.

Plants are compact and productive, typically 18–24 inches tall with a tidy, branching habit for beds or containers. Glossy foliage frames blocky, 3–4-lobed bells about 3–4 inches across, with thick, juicy walls and smooth shoulders. Fruit move from green to pale lavender (anthocyanins on sun-facing sides) and finally rich red; bicolor blushes are common and desirable.

In the kitchen, Lilac Bell shines fresh—its pastel flesh stays crisp in salads, snack trays, and slaws. It roasts and grills like any bell (the lilac exterior softens toward olive/mahogany with heat), and stuffed halves hold their shape beautifully. Dice and freeze red-stage fruit for sauces and soups; quick-pickle rings preserve the unusual color for eye-catching jars.

Selected for reliable set and ornamental appeal, Lilac Bell rewards steady moisture and full sun with long, colorful harvests. Provide balanced feeding, avoid heavy defoliation (to limit sunscald on pale skins), and harvest frequently to keep plants pushing new blossoms. A crowd-pleaser that blends flavor and flair—without the heat.