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

02 Feb 10, Lloyd (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
have a great plant but the fruit is a long light green a bit like a chilly but has mild taste does anyone know what type it is as i would like to keep seeds and replant
27 Jan 10, michelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi,I have great capsicum plants with lots of vege, just wondering how long it takes them to go from green to yellow, then red? Should i add something to the soil? thanx
09 Jan 10, karen (Australia - temperate climate)
help, my capsicum are bearing good quantity but rot before they are ready to pick, what am i doing wrong
22 Mar 11, marcy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
it is most probably fruit fly when ytou open the rotting fruit you will most probably see little worms inside you can try home made fruit fly bites ,
30 Dec 09, Annalisa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tamara: Thanks! Perennial, yay! I DID keep those plants from last year in the ground, and they have 2 fruit each, looking great! My new plants are starting much slower. Maybe next year they'll do better. So excited :) Clare - 25cm is about fully grown. My capsicum love the sun here in Brisbane. I have about 10 plants (2 planted last year, 8 sown early this spring) and so far about 10 fruit. I would see if you can gradually introduce your plants to more and more sun, or in a partial sun/shade spot to prevent wilting. Number one capsicum tip: Be patient and you will be pleasantly surprised :) I used seeds from a store-bought capsicum, but it was from a fruit/veg stand, not a supermarket... I made sure I took seed from an extra delicious, perfectly formed capsicum. I don't mess with checking my dirt's PH levels, but I have really great dirt, happy plants, and feed with liquid seaweed fertiliser 1-2/month just for fun. Good luck!
09 May 17, Ty Buchanan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I got no germination at all from capsicum in packets bought from Bunnings. Then I decided to buy a fresh capsicum and planted the seeds with the flesh, sliced like you would a tomato. I had hundreds of seedlings shoot up in the tray. Planted them in the garden and we are away! Ty
10 Dec 09, Clare (Australia - temperate climate)
I was wondering if anyone could help me-I have two small plants in a medium sized pot and they started off growing so well and fast inside during the end of Winter but now they seem to have stopped growing. They are about 25cm high and when I put them outside they wilt but inside they seem to not grow at all. Any advice? Thank you!
13 Nov 09, Michelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, first time growing caps. I planted seedlings about 6 weeks ago. While they are growing, it seems to be quite slow. How fast and how big do the plants get?
31 Oct 09, mark (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello All. Can anyone tell me whats the best way to plant capsicum in the ground. I am new to this and want to learn the proper way to do it. Any advice will be most welcome. thank you.
26 Oct 09, Andy James (Australia - temperate climate)
You can use the seeds from commercial capsicums but these varieties have been developed to be grown under very specific conditions and require low pH and lots of fertiliser etc. I get much better results from bought seed (heirloom varieties) here in Perth, as they seem to be more suited to the general vegie bed conditions. Unless you have a specific spot for them and can be bothered messing about with the pH...
Showing 371 - 380 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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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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