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 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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21 Oct 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try a pot as wide as the plant grows.
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05 Sep 20, Vic Earle (Australia - temperate climate)
A couple of capsicum plants against a northeast faceing wall have survived the winter. Almost all the leaves have survived but are now curling up should I remove them?
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07 Sep 20, Corinna Wildenauer (Australia - temperate climate)
Ive had capsicums and chillies over winter and they usually come good once it warms up. I prune them back and when it gets warmer you should find new leaves starting to emerge. Give it a good feed. The old leaves will eventually drop off. I had a chilli plant live for several years in a pot.
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25 Jul 20, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicums have been stripped bare just the stem left about 14 to 16 cm high mind you it hasn't happened to the bigger one's. any advice especially on pesticides?
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27 Jul 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
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.
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27 Jul 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably some grub/caterpillar, look for killers of these at gardening centers or look up organic sprays on the internet.
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28 Apr 20, Egmo (Australia - temperate climate)
Why do the young fruit fall off the capsicum bush ?
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31 Mar 20, David harris (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicums have just been harvested, should I prune them back (can I prune them) and hope for another crop next season or pull them out and wait to plant seedlings next season.
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05 Apr 20, Wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Ive had the same plants in for 3 years and they reproduce every year. This is the best year yet.
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01 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Capsicums will produce over several weeks months. Generally you pull them out when finished.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 430 comments
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a friend who runs a garden shop told me that that it was a disease that her caps had got a few years ago as some of the leaves have turned golden and dry in some patches i think this may be the cause I am watching them carefully although perhaps having come to that conclusion i should pull them out. I planted some more of the same seeds in nutritious soil rather than seed mix (still in trays) and perhaps because of this or the warmer weather they are going relay well with thicker stems and wider greener leaves and the appearance of second leaves in week two (this is just healthy garden soil). hope fully these stronger pants will with stand disease. i am not afraid of frost where i am but will plant these new ones in a different patch of soil. thank you for your quick response.

- Ferran

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