Bell Pepper
Capsicum annuum • Solanaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Central and South America, widely cultivated globally
📅 Days to Maturity
60 to 90 days from transplanting to mature harvest, depending on whether harvested green or fully ripened to red.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
Typically grown as an annual in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11.
About This Seed
The seeds are small, flat, kidney-shaped, and cream to pale yellow in color with a slightly wrinkled surface. The resulting plant is a sturdy, branching bush growing 18 to 30 inches tall with dark green foliage, small white flowers, and blocky, thick-walled sweet fruits that mature from green to red.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Summer, start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, sensitive to cold
Germination
Germinates in 7 to 21 days at optimal soil temperatures between 70°F and 85°F. High germination rate expected when kept consistently warm and moist. No pre-treatment required.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1/4 inch deep, spaced 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 24 to 36 inches apart. Prefers rich, well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun, ideally 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Water consistently to maintain evenly moist soil, about 1 to 2 inches of water per week; moderate drought tolerance once established.
Companion Plants
Beneficial companions include basil, tomatoes, carrots, and onions; avoid planting near fennel, kohlrabi, or other brassicas.
Special Characteristics
Good source of vitamins A and C, heat-tolerant, moderate resistance to common mosaic virus, highly attractive to pollinators when in bloom.