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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13 May 18, Diane (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I would like to know if you can chop plant off when finished and it will regrow or do you need new plants each year?
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17 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
They are perennial but more so in semi tropical areas. They do not like the cold. Google and read up about it.
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02 Jul 18, Cathrine (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I’m curious about this too, Diane. I grew capsicum and chilli outdoors in Wellington this last summer, a bit of a surprise that they fruited. I decided to leave the well established bushes in the ground, after pruning, as they looked healthy and still had growth. It’s early July now and they are still thriving, though the coldest months are too come, but, leads me to thinking that maybe the bushes are somewhat perennial? I’ve check all my gardening books but nothing there. Does anyone else have any experience that might lend to this?
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26 Jul 18, Julie Baker (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Only one of my chili plants lasted through the winter in the glass house last year. This year they have all died off, even those outside under a cloche. I think I may have been lucky last year!
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18 Feb 18, Ken (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I planted well developed "red" capsicum seedlings mid November on well drained fertile soil. The plants grew vigorousely and needed staking. Most of the fruit showed white patches which enlarge with time an some were attacked by wasps and possibly birds. What might becthe cause?
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10 Feb 18, Gerald (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Both chilli and bell peppers are growing exceptionally well but a bug is drilling a hole into the top of all of them. The bell peppers are filling up with water and rotting before I know it's happened. The chillis are ok to pick. Have cut the fruit open but I can't see anything inside. Any ideas?
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06 Dec 17, Bob (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Do i need to stake capsicum
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07 Jun 18, Paul (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes you do... If they are left, the plants will snap off as the upper fruit enlarges and ripens. Especially if there is any wind.
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12 Nov 17, Jack (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Is it to late to grow capsicum
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06 Feb 18, Colleen (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live in Christchurch. I had planted my capsicum in Oct 2017 they are still growing. I had put 6 plants in & they are so full that I've had to tie the plants up as very heavy & falling over. I think it depends where u live in NZ on how they grow
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Showing 11 - 20 of 34 comments
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I had the same thing last year (on the coast south of Sydney), particularly getting burned on the west-facing side, from the hot afternoon sun. The UV seemed to be particularly strong last summer. My cucumber vines all got fried before producing any fruit, unlike the year before which had a good crop. Shade cloth might be the way to go

- Jason

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