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
22 Nov 11, Alex (Australia - temperate climate)
could be "Blossom End Rot" ?
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Oct 11, Bruce (Australia - temperate climate)
It will just grow by itself something like a tomato plant and doesnt need to be chopped to produce nice fruit when it is ready. It may benefit from some staking the same as a tomato bush.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Oct 11, Diane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am living in Sub-Tropical, Coffs Harbour. I would like some helpful advise in growing Capsicums in this Region. I have tried planting in the ground and in pots but have not had any success. Any tips would be great. Di
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Nov 11, Max (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Di Don't give up you can do it. You don't say at what point things go wrong- but I suggest you start with a small red capsicum (sweet pepper) from a local outlet. The smaller fruited ones ripen quickly and don't get fruit fly for me. The smaller fruited ones are tougher and get going quicker. And this is the exactly time of the year to start. They also produce more abundantly. Cheers Max
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Oct 11, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
can I just plant seeds straight to garden?
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Oct 11, kelvan (Australia - temperate climate)
I really dont have a lot of produce from capsicums. Is Margaret River region W.A realy classed as temperate or cool mountain?
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Sep 11, Catherine (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I use the seeds from the capsicans that I have purchased from the super market?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Oct 11, aif (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes u can, just dry the seeds first.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Oct 11, Roberta (Australia - temperate climate)
You can, however if the variety is a hybrid, as most varieties grown for supermarkets are, it won't come true to type. This is OK for your own use but not if you are aiming to save seed of named varieties that you intend to donate, say, to a seed bank. If the variety was an open pollinated one then it should come out the same unless you have other varieties flowering nearby that will cross, even chillies!
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 301 - 310 of 430 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.