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
  • 'Banana' capsicum
  • A yellow capsicum

Small bushy plant about 40cm high. The seeds are reluctant to start germinating if temperatures drop at night. These are best sown in small trays in a warm, sheltered place: a small greenhouse if possible. Plant out when about 10 -12cm (4-5in) tall.

They are from the same family as chilli but are not hot and spicy. The seeds and white flesh are bitter.

Capsicums are frost tender and need warmth to ripen the fruit to the brilliant reds and yellows of commercial ones. They can be used green but are not as sweet.

There are a number of colours available, chocolate, black, yellow, orange as well as red. They all start off green and change as they ripen.

In cool, wet weather cover with a cloche or frost fleece.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Capsicum

Can be sliced and seeded and used raw in salads.
Will freeze successfully without blanching if seeded and sliced.

Brush with olive oil, roast at a high temperature until the skin changes colour then put in a covered dish until cool and rub off the skin and remove seeds.

Your comments and tips

27 Nov 22, John Ingham (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How to bag capsicums to prevent fruit fly infestation. eg individual bagging or by the branch,
09 Aug 22, clara (Australia - temperate climate)
I know this is old but answering for future reference. Being stripped of all leaves is usually locusts. Pesticides won't help but encouraging local bird life does. Sparrows of all birds feed on their young voraciously and if you have sparrows you won't have locusts for long. Butcher birds like the adults.
23 Feb 22, Joan Markby (Australia - temperate climate)
Do green capsicums turn red.or are they different varieties
25 Feb 22, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Yes, your capsicums will change colour as they ripen. Varieties are red, yellow, orange when ripe.
22 Mar 21, Renee Gronow (Australia - temperate climate)
First time question, new to planting and growing home grown vegetables. But have noticed my capsicum plants have black spots
23 Jan 21, Vickie (Australia - temperate climate)
First time growing mini yellow capsicum. There are heaps on the Bush mainly green going to orange. When do I pick them
25 Jan 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
You can pick, green, orange or wait until yellow.
21 Oct 20, Elliot Vardis (Australia - temperate climate)
Sweet baby capsicums, can they be grown in pots? If so, what would be the most suitable size pot considering they grow to 40 cm tall. I thank you in anticipation. Elliot.
21 Oct 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try a pot as wide as the plant grows.
05 Sep 20, Vic Earle (Australia - temperate climate)
A couple of capsicum plants against a northeast faceing wall have survived the winter. Almost all the leaves have survived but are now curling up should I remove them?
Showing 1 - 10 of 428 comments

Most vegetables are annual - germinate - grow - fruit/seed and then die. The cycle of life.

- Mike

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.