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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21 Sep 08, Lucy Dobinson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
do capsicum plants grow well in big pots? Because I have just planted some seedlings in a big pot, and I am wondering if they will still produce fruit.
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18 Feb 13, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You can grow Capsicum in pots quite successfully, keep the soil moist not too wet and feed with nitrogenous fertilizer when fruit are starting to set Tom in Hawkes Bay
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28 Aug 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Diane, you will be able grow capsicums if you start them early under cover so that they have a long growing time.
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03 Aug 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Rebecca, in a temperate zone you can only expect capsicums to be annuals. Remove the plants as they die down and grow new ones for next summer.
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Showing 31 - 34 of 34 comments
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HI Jen, I'm not an expert, but I've been growing some veggies with various success/failure over the last 4 years in Brisbane. I think most of the plants your putting in like it moist (not soaking) with nutritious soil. Some of your plants will take full sun, but your lettuce may struggle in the jan feb sun. Seedlings are best protected a bit from the ravage of mid day sun, you might want to shade them a bit until they have established themselves. Also, some plants just seem to work better in various garden settings. If I could work out why, i'd be on gardening Australia!! ;-) If something doesn't work in your bed, keep trying with something else. Last year I literally threw in a couple of sweet potatoes onto a large area of unkempt soil. To my surprise they took and grew massive amounts of lovely potatoes. I didn't even try to do anything. Its a good idea to mulch around your plants, to keep moisture in. Good luck .

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