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 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 20 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
30 Dec 16, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
My long capsicums have developed soft brown spots & streaks. It doesn't look like the pictures I've seen of blossom end rot, And the local nursery said I had a fungal problem, I've sprayed with an eco fungicide however the problem is getting worse. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Dec 16, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm just wondering whether capsicum plant can survive over winter?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Jan 17, Bob Bradley (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a capsicum plant that is now 3 years old and producing a bumper crop so they certainly can withstand an Adelaide winter. Cheers.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Capsicums, like tomatoes, are perennial and will last over winter in a frost free area. We mostly treat them as an annual for convenience. they can get untidy into their second year. if you have healthy plants and no frost there is no reason why you can't cut the plants back or remove the 'leggy' bits and let them keep growing. The other reason we normally treat them as annuals is so we can plant them each year in fresh soil and reduce the effect of any soil-born diseases. Trust this helps.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Dec 16, Denise (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I grow capsicum in the same soil that I grew tomato's in last year.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Capsicums belong to the Solanum family which also includes - potatoes, tomatoes and egg plant (aubergine). They are all susceptible to the same diseases with varying degrees so it is better to plant them in a new location. This is called crop rotation and prevents the build up of soil born diseases and pests. If you have no alternative, replenish the soil with good compost and use a liquid amendment like Seasol to ensure strong healtrhy plants. it's worth a try. Trust this helps.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Dec 16, Julie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I picked my first capsicum they looked fine on the outside but when i cut them they were full of small maggots what should i do.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
These maggots are fruit fly larvae. As an alternative to chemical sprays you could cover the whole plant with fly mesh or tuille to stop the adult flies from laying their eggs in the fruit. Trust this helps.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Oct 16, Vanessa (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i plant capsicum seeds direct in the garden bed now that its a bit warmer?
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Oct 16, Michelle Kidd (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I've tried growing capsicum over the last few years but they are always bitter. How do we sweeten them up please? Cheers, Michelle.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 151 - 160 of 521 comments
See comments for all plants

Could be a number of reasons ... A common ailment with capsicum is blossom-end rot. This condition just effects the fruit and not the plant blossom or flower. The condition gets its name because the symptoms appear at the ‘blossom end’ of the fruit. The first sign of blossom-end rot is that the end of the fruit becomes off-whitish to brown in colour and takes on a ‘sunken in’ appearance. As the fruit matures, these symptoms become more pronounced and the colour of the rot becomes dark brown to almost black. Blossom-end rot is caused by insufficient calcium supply. However, the most common cause is from irregular watering during the critical growing period of the young fruit. Even when calcium levels in the soil are sufficient, a plant receiving insufficient or irregular water will have difficulty absorbing and delivering calcium to the fruit. To control blossom-end rot. Boost the soil with calcium by adding lime, dolomite, gypsum or composted animal manures before planting the seedlings. Water regularly. Most capsicum crops continue to flower and bear fruit for prolonged periods of time, so ensure the soil around their roots is kept moist. Avoid fertilisers with a high nitrogen content. Nitrogen fertilisers will promote leaf growth at the expense of fruit, allocating calcium to the leaves instead of to the fruit.

- ej

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.