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

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05 Jul 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Go to the top of the capsicum page and it will tell you. Set to climate zone 7b.
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23 Mar 22, Brenda (USA - Zone 10b climate)
New to growing capsicum I am zone 10 what soil should I prepare to transplant seedlings too and what do I feed them with please Many thanks
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29 Mar 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
If you start with good friable soil that has had some compost/composted manures in it that should be all that is required.
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23 Feb 22, Joan Markby (Australia - temperate climate)
Do green capsicums turn red.or are they different varieties
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25 Feb 22, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Yes, your capsicums will change colour as they ripen. Varieties are red, yellow, orange when ripe.
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07 Nov 21, Pam (USA - Zone 10a climate)
My bell peppers are still producing from summer. Not nearly as much, but they are still holding their own. Based on the chart I should be planting undercover in seed trays. Should I have pulled out these bell pepper plants at the end of summer? Will they continue to produce until the frost hits them???? curious
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10 Nov 21, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
I would keep them if they are still producing good crop.
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21 Aug 22, Sandra (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Peppers can live for a couple of years; if your plants are still alive through the winter, they should produce the next year. If it snows out, bring them in where it’s cozy as long as they live they will produce I think a maximum of four years depending on the health and care of the plant.
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19 Sep 21, Robin Mendelson (USA - Zone 11a climate)
What bulbs can I plant indoors in south Florida?
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22 Mar 21, Renee Gronow (Australia - temperate climate)
First time question, new to planting and growing home grown vegetables. But have noticed my capsicum plants have black spots
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Showing 11 - 20 of 521 comments
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Hi Sarah Your timing seems OK, size wise and leaves etc. It’s hard to know what you did without being there, but here's a few transplanting tips to help you figure it out: - a week before you transplant, harden them off a bit by moving them out, especially if you've been raising the seedlings in a protected place i.e. shade house. Maybe also boost them with a light liquid feed first, not too much nitrogen - water them first so the soil or potting mix is moist, otherwise all the soil will just fall way, exposing and disturbing the roots - wait for the soil to be moist, not too wet, when you take them out, and tease the roots out gently, disturbing them as little as possible. It’s the fine root hairs at the ends of the roots that take up water so if they break off they can’t take up water - the hole you plant them in should be big enough to accommodate the roots without scrunching them in - after planting, don't fertilise until they've settled in, say a week or so. You can water them in with seaweed solution as this helps them settle. Protect them from wind and direct sun for a few days until they adjust - basically it's all about reducing transplant shock as much as possible Roberta

- Roberta

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