Growing Capsicum, also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers

Capsicum annuum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Cut fruit off with sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Egg plant (Aubergine), Nasturtiums, Basil, Parsley, Amaranth

Your comments and tips

12 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just give them some area to grow - they could shade other plants which could stunt them a bit. Yep go ahead with your suggestions. If you can find shallot bulbs try them - quick and easy to grow. Or just try a succession of the smaller plants you are talking about. i try and plant taller plants in one end of my garden and smaller in the other end - swap next time I plant.
25 May 18, Sean (Australia - temperate climate)
Can capsicum be frozen for future use?
29 May 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes, capsicum freezes quite well. Cut it into strips, ready to use and freeze on a tray before bagging up. It loses a bit of flavour but the colour stays well.
29 May 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet - probably not.
13 May 18, Diane (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I would like to know if you can chop plant off when finished and it will regrow or do you need new plants each year?
17 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
They are perennial but more so in semi tropical areas. They do not like the cold. Google and read up about it.
02 Jul 18, Cathrine (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I’m curious about this too, Diane. I grew capsicum and chilli outdoors in Wellington this last summer, a bit of a surprise that they fruited. I decided to leave the well established bushes in the ground, after pruning, as they looked healthy and still had growth. It’s early July now and they are still thriving, though the coldest months are too come, but, leads me to thinking that maybe the bushes are somewhat perennial? I’ve check all my gardening books but nothing there. Does anyone else have any experience that might lend to this?
26 Jul 18, Julie Baker (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Only one of my chili plants lasted through the winter in the glass house last year. This year they have all died off, even those outside under a cloche. I think I may have been lucky last year!
30 Apr 18, Sagie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have recently retaired and want to grow bell peppers please help me
23 Apr 18, Erika kluge (Australia - temperate climate)
How do i know to take out the capsicum plant after a rather successful season..
Showing 81 - 90 of 521 comments

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