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 S S S S
T T               T T T

(Best months for growing Capsicum in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
07 Jan 15, sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicums are quite small & then skinned, can you advise what might be the problem please.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Dec 14, Paul Moore (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a yellow banana shaped growth in my sweet caps in a planter box at home. Can you tell me what it is please. Paul
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Dec 14, Sue Coleman (Australia - temperate climate)
What could be eating small holes in my banana capsicums and what can I do about it?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Jan 15, Margie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have two purple capcicum plants healthy ,with lots of capcicums growing on them. Had noticed small holes in some before they reach full size. As with figs I think wasps are boring into the fruit leaving there eggs to reach maturity as they ripen. So disappointing .might have to net before fruit arrives on plant .
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Dec 14, John hrynko (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My fruit on my capsicum goes rotten before they can ripen, are they being stung or is there a disease in the ground? The bushes seem to be healthy, I have very little success in gating good or any fruit for that matter.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Dec 14, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the same issue in Victoria where we do not have any fruit fly as the possible reason. Do not know what the problem is as my tomatoes are going well with lots of fruit coming (cherry).
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Dec 14, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it fruit fly? I live in Southern Qld. A friend put me onto an easy fix for fruit fly a couple years age & it really works. I was sceptical & tested it a couple years ago on my tomatoes & no stung fruit. Put strips of fabric (about 1" wide & however long you want), dotted with Vicks Vapour Rub...has to be Vicks....no generics.... (about every 3 or 4 inches) & thread a couple through each plant. Refresh with the Vicks if it rains. I replenished every week through the summer as I was paranoid. Ended up with beautiful fruitfly free tomatoes & made tons of tom sauce, chutney etc.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Nov 14, prue (Australia - temperate climate)
Do I need to pinch out capsicums for a more bushy plant?kp
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Nov 14, george (Australia - temperate climate)
Do you need more than one Capsicum plant to produce fruit.
Reply or Post a new comment
31 Dec 14, phil (Australia - temperate climate)
no george you don"t need more than one,i have one plant and it is packed with fruit.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 181 - 190 of 428 comments
See comments for all plants

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.