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 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

09 Mar 20, Alan (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Simone, the yellowing of leaves generally indicate that the plant is not getting enough oxygen, perhaps due to too much water. I find that with my rose plants. I shall assume that this maybe the same in your case. Please ask anybody else if my theory is correct. Good luck.
27 Aug 12, Barry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, If you live in Perth and are using tap water then the water is way way to alkaline. Some times in Perth the water reads PH 8.00 and above. When the water is that high they will not up take nutrients. I would suggest getting a container and adjusting the ph. before watering the plants. Regards, Barry.
26 Feb 12, tonya (Australia - temperate climate)
i have 2 capsicum plants supported by trelis's. they're both about a metre high. they produce small-medium green to yellow chilli shape fruit, but if i let them get to yellow, they go rotten and soggy. dearly after red capsicum - any hints? many thanks :)
03 Feb 12, Angela (Australia - arid climate)
Probably blossom end rot. Add some garden lime to your soil.
17 Jan 12, Kay (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have 4 capsicum plants outside in my garden, 2 have green fruit on them, but now one has started to show black coloration on the bottom of the fruit, still seems very firm and still growing, I just am wondering what to do, as if it is diseased I don't want to infect my other plants.
28 Jan 12, Tassy Michele (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hiya Kay .... Don't stress as this is part of the ripening process. The darkish bottom is a sign that the fruit is chaniging from green and ripening into the red capsicum like those you buy at the supermarket ....not unlike an apple that is green and turns to red when ripened. Hope this helps. Cheers Michele
15 Jan 12, Hans (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi! I have 3 capsicum plants and I am getting fruit on them but they do not grow large; one is a purple and 2 green; the fruit on the green plant start to rot before ripening. I give them plenty of water and fertilizer. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong??
12 Jan 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have three mini capsicums, each in its own pot, purchased from a very reputable source. The red one produced one minute and one tiny capsicum - and they were on the plant when I bought it. The brown one has a single tiny capsicum. (They are supposed to be 5cm across.) The yellow one has only tiny blossoms. I put them into new potting mix, added a little chook poo, new pots, watered with seaweed solution, good sunny spot. I live in northern part of Sydney. I have dealt with white flies by spraying with Natrasoap which has finally worked.
15 Dec 13, kathy (Australia - temperate climate)
this is the second yr have grown mini capsicum..they are heavy feeders so I chook poo very regularly. I have harvested well this yr (5 plants-about 100 capsicum but am coming to the end of crop-still months of summer yet will they reflower-no sign yet..How do I encourage this
09 Dec 11, alison (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I'm growning capsicum in Perth. The flowers keep dropping off and I'm wondering why?? Any ideas? Thanks
Showing 351 - 360 of 518 comments

If this happened suddenly, it was probably hornworm caterpillars--they can strip a plant almost overnight. I placed a bird feeder near my peppers and tomatoes, and birds are kindly taking care of the problem for me...but in the short run you might want to dust with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). It's organic, considered highly safe, and will stop the caterpillars from feeding.

- colleen

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