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
07 Jan 15, sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicums are quite small & then skinned, can you advise what might be the problem please.
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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
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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?
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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 .
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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.
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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).
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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.
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19 Nov 14, prue (Australia - temperate climate)
Do I need to pinch out capsicums for a more bushy plant?kp
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16 Nov 14, george (Australia - temperate climate)
Do you need more than one Capsicum plant to produce fruit.
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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.
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Showing 181 - 190 of 428 comments
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Just bought an orange lunchbox capsicum. Should I pinch out the top leaves to promote a more bushy plant?

- Helen

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