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
04 Nov 13, Dennis (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I am interested in Capsicum farming in Congo Brazzaville Which specie of capsicum will favorably grow here?
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Oct 13, Pat Davis (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a tomatoe planted on a plot above & a capsicum planted in a lower plot, does this mean that I have to dig out the capsicum, put it in a pot & shift it to another part of the garden?? Please advise. Many thanks.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Nov 13, DrGreenThumb (Australia - temperate climate)
No. They are actually closely related. Transplanting can stunt growth or shock a plant. Consider this (and all) forums "just advice" Lettuce know how you go.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Oct 13, Tom (Australia - temperate climate)
Are there any native varieties?
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Oct 13, shannon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I know it's probably just common sense but can you just use the seeds from a store bought capsicum and if so do you need to do anything before planting iedry them out? Tia
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Nov 13, DrGreenThumb (Australia - temperate climate)
Personally I leave them on a windowsill for 3 days to dry, then refrigerate them for 4 weeks. I have a very high success rate with this method so I skip seed raising and plant the seeds out 20cm apart expecting 100% germination. Good luck
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Oct 13, Jessica (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do i tell the difference if its going to be a red, yellow or green plant?
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Nov 13, Elsie (Australia - temperate climate)
They all start off green, and change colour as they ripen. They're edible when they're green, but you might prefer the taste once they ripen up. I don't know if there are any differences in the plant itself that tell you which variety (yellow, red, brown) it will be though sorry.
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Oct 13, Tina Lockyer (Australia - temperate climate)
should capsicum and chilli plants be cut back in the winter?
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Sep 13, Martha (Australia - temperate climate)
Yep, you are so right, my veggie garden is only 100cm!! so i only have one capsicum but yeah, that must have been a mistake...
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 291 - 300 of 521 comments
See comments for all plants

sally,i have approx 30-40 chilli plants which most are fruiting really well,but i have recently added 12 mexican chilli plants to my garden and they seem to having the same problem as yours.they are planted in containers and i always use the same fertilizers and potting mix as i know it works well on my existing plants.the new plants have almost become plastic like and the new growth at the top of the plant has become stunted-plant still is green and healthy looking though? i live in brisbane and we recently got a lot of rain followed by pretty extreme sunny hot days. also,can anyone advise me on knowing when your chillis are ready for picking,as all the seeds i used for my plants are from red chillis and i seem to have a lot of green fruit that has been on the plants for a few weeks going on a month.i would hat to waste them as i have had a few drop off which i have cut up and put in a jar of good olive oil-a awesome italian oil trick i got from a mates mother from italy-she provided me with my sedds.

- daniel

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.