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

28 Jan 12, Tassy Michele (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hiya Kay .... Don't stress as this is part of the ripening process. The darkish bottom is a sign that the fruit is chaniging from green and ripening into the red capsicum like those you buy at the supermarket ....not unlike an apple that is green and turns to red when ripened. Hope this helps. Cheers Michele
15 Jan 12, Hans (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi! I have 3 capsicum plants and I am getting fruit on them but they do not grow large; one is a purple and 2 green; the fruit on the green plant start to rot before ripening. I give them plenty of water and fertilizer. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong??
12 Jan 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have three mini capsicums, each in its own pot, purchased from a very reputable source. The red one produced one minute and one tiny capsicum - and they were on the plant when I bought it. The brown one has a single tiny capsicum. (They are supposed to be 5cm across.) The yellow one has only tiny blossoms. I put them into new potting mix, added a little chook poo, new pots, watered with seaweed solution, good sunny spot. I live in northern part of Sydney. I have dealt with white flies by spraying with Natrasoap which has finally worked.
15 Dec 13, kathy (Australia - temperate climate)
this is the second yr have grown mini capsicum..they are heavy feeders so I chook poo very regularly. I have harvested well this yr (5 plants-about 100 capsicum but am coming to the end of crop-still months of summer yet will they reflower-no sign yet..How do I encourage this
09 Dec 11, alison (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I'm growning capsicum in Perth. The flowers keep dropping off and I'm wondering why?? Any ideas? Thanks
19 May 12, Randy (Australia - temperate climate)
They might not be getting pollenated, also give it a boost with pot-ash.
13 Dec 11, Tracey (Australia - temperate climate)
Blossom drop is common early in the season. The number one cause is that temperatures are not yet quite right. Like tomatoes, if it is too cool or too hot fruit will not set. Capsicums like night time temps to be above about 16 C for fruit set. Also if daytime temps are too high (above about 35) fruit will not set. There is probably minor variation among varieties in the actual optimal temperature range, but you get the idea...Generally patience is the only remedy required. Other possible causes are not enough airflow (capsicums are primarily wind pollinated), too much nitrogen, not enough water, too much water...
20 Nov 11, susan (Australia - temperate climate)
hi, dose any one know why my capsicums are getting black patches on them and have a sogy mush inside behind the black patch, we are in geraldton WA (400ks nrth of Perth). thank you for your help.
22 Nov 11, Alex (Australia - temperate climate)
could be "Blossom End Rot" ?
16 Oct 11, lily (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a capscicum plant that is 20cm high with 4 flowers at the very top. Should I chop them to allow the plant to grow more, I have read that I should have chopped the central stalk when it was 15cm tall to allow the side stems to produce more fruit?
Showing 291 - 300 of 428 comments

Just bought an orange lunchbox capsicum. Should I pinch out the top leaves to promote a more bushy plant?

- Helen

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