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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23 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I don't know. If you had several plants you could try it on one. Fertilise and watering well should produce a good bushy plant.
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25 May 18, Sean (Australia - temperate climate)
Can capsicum be frozen for future use?
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29 May 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes, capsicum freezes quite well. Cut it into strips, ready to use and freeze on a tray before bagging up. It loses a bit of flavour but the colour stays well.
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29 May 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try the internet - probably not.
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23 Apr 18, Erika kluge (Australia - temperate climate)
How do i know to take out the capsicum plant after a rather successful season..
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18 May 18, David (Australia - temperate climate)
I read on this site years ago about a person who had 3 seasons off his/her plant. It thought that I might try the same. Next season will be my fourth. The fruit isn't as large as what you buy at the grocers but are quite acceptable and sweet. The plant will look ratty during the cooler months. Around September I start cutting off the ratty leaves that are close to new growth, being careful to leave enough large leaves to keep the plant growing. This might take 4-6 weeks of removing the old leaves. I also have to support the plant due to the quantity of fruit. Perhaps if I thinned out the fruit I would have larger capsicums. Just tried this for fun but the results have been pleasing.
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24 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When the yield drops off and fruit are becoming small, time to pull them out. A plant only has a limited cycle. A crop may take 12 weeks until it bears and then produce for 4-6 weeks and then that is the end of the cycle.
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25 Aug 18, genna (Australia - temperate climate)
one of my capsicum plants will be in its 3rd summer this yr (2018-19). have had amazing fruit from it over the last two years. will see how it goes this year, but am sowing more for the season.
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26 Mar 18, Steph (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ive planted my capsicum in Feb this year and they have grown nicely however they are pretty much the same size (the plant itself) and have been for about 3 weeks. Still quite small. They are healthy just really small still (approx 15cm high) is there anything I need to do to keep them growing. With a harvest est. In May, I just do see them being big enough to grow the harvest.
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21 Mar 18, (Australia - temperate climate)
what weather conditions do capsicum plants grow in. do they grow better in the sun or the shade?
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Showing 51 - 60 of 430 comments
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Hi Sarah Your timing seems OK, size wise and leaves etc. It’s hard to know what you did without being there, but here's a few transplanting tips to help you figure it out: - a week before you transplant, harden them off a bit by moving them out, especially if you've been raising the seedlings in a protected place i.e. shade house. Maybe also boost them with a light liquid feed first, not too much nitrogen - water them first so the soil or potting mix is moist, otherwise all the soil will just fall way, exposing and disturbing the roots - wait for the soil to be moist, not too wet, when you take them out, and tease the roots out gently, disturbing them as little as possible. It’s the fine root hairs at the ends of the roots that take up water so if they break off they can’t take up water - the hole you plant them in should be big enough to accommodate the roots without scrunching them in - after planting, don't fertilise until they've settled in, say a week or so. You can water them in with seaweed solution as this helps them settle. Protect them from wind and direct sun for a few days until they adjust - basically it's all about reducing transplant shock as much as possible Roberta

- Roberta

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