Bell Pepper Seed
Capsicum annuum • Solanaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Central and South America, cultivated globally
📅 Days to Maturity
60-90 days from transplanting depending on whether harvested green or fully ripe; longer if direct sown in warm climates.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
Typically grown as an annual across USDA Hardiness Zones 3-11; tender perennial in frost-free zones 9-11.
About This Seed
Small, flat, kidney-to-round shaped, creamy yellowish-white seeds with a slightly wrinkled or textured surface. The resulting plant is a bushy, branching herbaceous annual producing glossy green foliage, small white flowers, and blocky, thick-walled bell-shaped fruits that mature from green to red or yellow.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Summer; start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost; tender to frost
Germination
Germinates in 7-21 days at an optimal soil temperature of 70-85°F. High germination rate (70-85%) under warm conditions. Requires darkness or indirect light to germinate; no pre-treatment needed.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1/4 inch deep, space seeds 12-18 inches apart in rows spaced 24-36 inches apart. Prefers rich, well-draining loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8 and heavy organic matter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily). Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Moderate drought tolerance once established, but uneven watering can lead to blossom end rot.
Companion Plants
Beneficial companions include basil, tomatoes, carrots, onions, and marigolds. Avoid planting near fennel, kohlrabi, or other brassicas.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for sweet flavor, rich vitamin C content, excellent pollinator attraction, and moderate pest resistance. Heat-loving and versatile in culinary uses.