Sweet or hot, peppers (Capsicum annuum) are one of the most rewarding crops in the garden. Growing peppers from seed lets you choose from far more varieties than garden centers carry, from mild bell peppers to fiery hot peppers. This guide walks you through every step, from starting pepper seeds indoors to staking your plants for a clean, healthy harvest. Shop pepper seeds
Pepper growing at a glance
- Botanical name: Capsicum annuum
- Sun: Full sun
- When to start seeds: Indoors, 8–10 weeks before your last frost
- Planting depth: 1/4 inch
- Germination: 10–14 days
- Ideal growing temperature: 75–95°F
- Plant spacing: 18 inches
- Frost hardy: No
- Growth habit: Upright, with short or long branches growing out from the main stem
When to Start Pepper Seeds
Start pepper seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last expected frost. Peppers germinate and grow more slowly than tomatoes, so they need an earlier start to be ready for transplanting once the weather warms.
How to Start Pepper Seeds Indoors
- Fill seedling trays or small pots with seed starting mix that contains essential nutrients.
- Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
- Keep the soil moist for quick, even germination. Pepper seeds sprout in 10–14 days.
- Give seedlings plenty of light. Strong light grows sturdy, healthy stems and leaves. Without enough light, seedlings stretch and turn weak and leggy.
When to Transplant Peppers
Transplant pepper seedlings outdoors after your last frost, once the weather has warmed. Peppers grow best at 75–95°F and aren’t frost hardy, so cold nights can stunt or kill them.
Best Soil and Spacing for Peppers
Plant peppers in full sun, in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost and other amendments. Space plants 18 inches apart to give each one room to branch out.
How to Fertilize Peppers
Feed pepper plants with a liquid fertilizer once every two weeks through the growing season.
How to Water Peppers
Water peppers regularly, especially once the plants start flowering, when steady moisture helps them set fruit. Always water at the base of the plant rather than over the leaves to minimize disease. A layer of mulch holds moisture in the soil and keeps soil from splashing onto the plants.
Staking Pepper Plants
Pepper plants grow upright, with branches reaching out from the main stem. Some hot pepper varieties grow taller than others and may need to be tied to a stake, so the fruit doesn’t touch the soil and rot. Staking also keeps heavily loaded branches from bending or breaking.
Pepper Growing FAQ
How long do pepper seeds take to germinate?
Pepper seeds usually sprout in 10–14 days when the soil is kept moist and warm.
How deep should I plant pepper seeds?
Plant them about 1/4 inch deep.
How far apart should pepper plants be?
Space pepper plants about 18 inches apart.
When should I start pepper seeds indoors?
Start them 8–10 weeks before your last frost, a couple of weeks earlier than tomatoes.
Can peppers survive frost?
No. Peppers aren’t frost hardy, so wait until after your last frost to plant them outdoors.
Do pepper plants need support?
Many don’t, but taller hot pepper varieties and plants heavy with fruit benefit from a stake to keep the fruit off the soil.