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  
                  T T  

(Best months for growing Capsicum in Australia - temperate regions)

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

August: Sow in pots

  • 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
10 Oct 16, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
HI Jen, I'm not an expert, but I've been growing some veggies with various success/failure over the last 4 years in Brisbane. I think most of the plants your putting in like it moist (not soaking) with nutritious soil. Some of your plants will take full sun, but your lettuce may struggle in the jan feb sun. Seedlings are best protected a bit from the ravage of mid day sun, you might want to shade them a bit until they have established themselves. Also, some plants just seem to work better in various garden settings. If I could work out why, i'd be on gardening Australia!! ;-) If something doesn't work in your bed, keep trying with something else. Last year I literally threw in a couple of sweet potatoes onto a large area of unkempt soil. To my surprise they took and grew massive amounts of lovely potatoes. I didn't even try to do anything. Its a good idea to mulch around your plants, to keep moisture in. Good luck .
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27 Oct 16, Jen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thankyou so much for your reply! Some great tips there.
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24 Sep 16, Linda Hope 337gmail. com.au (Australia - tropical climate)
What is the best fertiliser for warm qld climate
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31 Jul 16, Robyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Just planting lots of different capsicum in next few days - seedlings. Previously have had lot of bugs attack them...after all Port Macquarie is bug central so would appreciate any hints - will put them near the parsley and basil that might help? Don't like sprays or poisons. Hope you can help thanks.
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19 Jul 16, Julie moffitt (Australia - temperate climate)
I live at airline beach and i have so much trouble growing capsicum
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05 Jul 16, vidhi (Australia - temperate climate)
Is there any chemical that change capsicum colour?
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09 Oct 16, Wim (Australia - temperate climate)
Yeah sunshine and time
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26 Jun 16, lee (Australia - arid climate)
They are a small bush but put a stake in to help the bush stay firm and upright.
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18 Jun 16, Andrea (Australia - temperate climate)
I relive that it's probably cheaper to buy them at the shops but just wanting to try my hand a growing capsicums, and a lot of my veggies for that matter. Do capsicums need to be grown on a trellis similar to beans or are they more like a tomato bush? Sorry for the weird question. I just want to make sure that I prepare the garden properly.
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18 Aug 16, Glenn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I only grow vegetables that are cheaper to grow than to buy - capsicum is amongst them.
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Showing 111 - 120 of 428 comments
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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.

- Corinna Wildenauer

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