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

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.
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
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.
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.
Showing 31 - 34 of 34 comments

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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