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
  S S                  
      T T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Capsicum in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 50 cm 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

31 Jan 18, Brenda (Australia - temperate climate)
Capsicum are like cucumber, pumpkin etc. You plant any old seed of the variety you want and the plant comes up. It will then grow flowers. some flowers are male, and some are female (the female ones have a teeny tiny miniature fruit under them). Little creatures, often bees but some other pollinators too, will flit between the flowers and spread the pollen around fertilising any female (fruiting) flowers that are growing on the plant. Successful pollination, and you should get some capsicums pretty easily depending on when you plant them and where you live. Capsicum like hot weather and long growing season. Often treated an annual down south and a perennial up north. Good luck
26 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Just buy some seeds or take some from a capsicum and plant them.
26 Dec 17, (Australia - temperate climate)
hi why is my capsicums flowers but not fruiting?
28 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check on the internet about capsicum pollination time. I have read that they require a certain temperature to pollinate. Something like 18-23 degrees, not say 15. I have just finished my crop - not the best because the plants were shaded by egg plants a lot. Try watering down at the root zone and not the bush.
06 Dec 17, Bob (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Do i need to stake capsicum
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.
23 Nov 17, Colleen Noonan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am growing a couple of plants indoors with good sun. They look good but every time a flower appears it falls off a few days later. Is it that the soil need some enriching ? One plant is about 40 cm tall and looks so healthy but I doubt if it will ever produce.
23 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
"Do I need bees for pollination? No, bees are not important for pollination. Although you may see plenty of bees in the patch, capsicumĀ is self-pollinated. Bush movement due to wind is sufficient for pollination". You probably have no wind inside the house. Also I have read caps need the temp above a certain temperature to pollinate. I wouldn't recommend growing anything inside - plants need sun - some more than others. Plants like caps and tomatoes need wind to pollinate. Others need bees.
12 Nov 17, Jack (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Is it to late to grow capsicum
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
Showing 101 - 110 of 519 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Capsicum

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 Gardenate 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 Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | 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. Gardenate 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.