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

11 Jun 11, gloworm (Australia - temperate climate)
My green capsicums have just grown to a big enough size to eat June 2011) however they taste very irony. Any suggestions on what I am doing wrong?
15 Jul 11, tropicalgal (Australia - tropical climate)
Not really sure but some people say Potash makes fruits tatse better?
20 May 11, Tina (Australia - temperate climate)
The fruits of my bell capsicum plants are very small I don't know what I'm doing wrong as the fruit on my pointed capsicum grow quite large, they are treated the same. The leaves are dropping off now, should I prune the plants back?I'm south of Adelaide.
11 Apr 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A contributing factor could be tomato plants, which are not meant to be planted anywhere near capsicums.
07 Apr 11, Sara Boeyen (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Last summer I planted four green capsicum seedlings and they have been prolific producers and are still flowering now. However the capsicums have been very bitter, only the very large ones are edible. This is the first time I have grown capsicum, could the soil nutrients be to blame? I think next year I will try a coloured capsicum so at least I know I won't be harvesting them too early.
21 Mar 11, caroline potter (Australia - tropical climate)
I have brown worms with stripes on my my capsicum leaves, hundreds off them, what do I use to get rid of them Thank you
06 Mar 11, Gen (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicum plant has produced a lot of fruit, however it is always being eaten / turning rotten before I can pick anything. What bugs are attracted to capsicum and how do I get rid of them. Cheers
22 Jun 11, Sandy (Australia - temperate climate)
Caterpillars do the most damage to my capsicums. Either army worms or cut worms. One of the bacterial treatments are best - Success (Yates) or Dipel. Unfortunately if the little suckers get inside the fruit they are pretty hard to control. I have problems with eggplant as well - so this year I am going to get some mosquito netting and put it over the plant.
28 Feb 11, jane callen (Australia - temperate climate)
I grew capsicums for the first time but none have turned red. How long does this take?
09 Mar 11, jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
think it depends on the temperature - mine turn red over a couple of days, first see a patch of red and next day mostly all red. But still smallish 10cm.... guess that red means ready though
Showing 391 - 400 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.