Plant field guide
Pepper (Bell)
Sweet bell peppers are a warm-season vegetable producing crisp, colorful fruits that ripen from green to red, yellow, or orange. A staple of summer gardens.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Capsicum annuum
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 18 in (46 cm) – 36 in (91 cm)
- Spread
- 12 in (30 cm) – 18 in (46 cm)
- Spacing
- 18 in (46 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 2–11; average annual extreme minimum from -50°F (-45.6°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- moderate
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: June, July.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Needs warm soil to thrive. Consistent watering prevents blossom end rot.
Pruning
Pinch early flowers to encourage stronger plant growth. Remove suckers below first fork.
Fertilizer
Balanced vegetable fertilizer (5-10-10)
At planting and every 3-4 weeks during growing season
Mulch
2-3 inches of straw or organic mulch to retain moisture and warmth.