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

27 Feb 15, frank (Australia - temperate climate)
the leaves on my capsicums are wilting but I cant see any bugs on them
23 Feb 15, melina (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi i have read somewhere this is due to inconstant watering and that the plant is not able to absorb something???? It may be calcium I think, and that you need to add agricultural lime to the soil, I think its called blossom end rot
14 Feb 14, noeline hoyle (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I too have capsicum rotting ,is there some spray to use please/
15 Jan 13, Emma (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I am having the exact same problem with the capsicums rotting before they are ready to pick. Was there a solution to this? Thanks, Emma
22 Mar 10, Sacha (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted 3 capsicum trees last September and have had some great produce over the summer. At the beginning of Feb they started looking sad and stopped producing fruit. I fertilised them and they have started producing fruit again but the fruit rots before it ripens on the tree. What should i do?
08 Oct 10, Tassy Michele (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hiya Sacha & Nicole, Try picking the fruit when there is a darkish/brown patch (5 cent size) on bottom of fruit. This is when the fruit has started to ripen. I have purchased the green fruit at the supermarket like this and stored in the fruit bowl until it has ripened. Often green is cheaper than red at the supermarket. When you have too much to use fresh, slice/dice and freeze in small lots to use later --- great flavour to quiches, stirfry, rissotto etc. Cheers
19 Mar 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 4 capsicums growing in pots which are just flowering apart from the constant attack of green caterpillars that I pick off regularly the plants seem to be doing reasonably well until. But recently some of the leaves, top one mainly, are curling. Can you advise what can be done to help guard against the caterpillars, and the leaf curl. Thank you.
10 Feb 13, jennifer2075 (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I too are growing capsicums in pot and found watering every day caused the plant to stress and now it has leaf curl. I have cut back on watering (even though temps 38 - 39) and pruned large leaves and find the plant is coming back. Whether the fruiting has been affected we shall wait and see.
16 Feb 10, Karen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Help, I am after info on capsicum and Zucchini. 1. Capsicum, I grew my capsicum and it came up fairly well, I then put it into the garden, a fairly sheltered spot there I was told they do not like too much sun, 2 of the plants, did not well at all, droopy leaves and the fruit has brown hard bits on it. Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong. 2. Zucchini No luck what so ever with them. they get a lot of green foliage, but mostly male flowers, no matter if in pot or ground. Whats happening? We use our compost, rich in all things, horse manure and no chemicals, any help would be greatly appreciated.
07 Feb 10, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
Lloyd i have some as well they are light green and the shape of a chilli they bare Jalapeno capsicums taste great as well
Showing 361 - 370 of 428 comments

Do capsicum plants last only for one season or can they be kept for a number of years?

- Beryl

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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.
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