Bell Pepper
Capsicum annuum • Solanaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Central and South America, cultivated globally in temperate and tropical regions.
📅 Days to Maturity
60-90 days from transplanting to harvest, depending on whether green or fully colored fruit is desired.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11 as a perennial, grown as an annual in zones 2-8.
About This Seed
Seeds are flat, kidney-shaped to round, smooth, and pale yellowish-cream to golden-tan in color. The mature plant is a bushy, branching herbaceous perennial usually grown as an annual, producing glossy blocky fruits that transition from green to red when ripe.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Summer; start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost. Not frost-tolerant.
Germination
Germination takes 7-21 days at an optimal soil temperature of 70-85°F. High germination rate when fresh. Requires warmth and moisture; no light needed for germination.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1/4 inch deep, spaced 18-24 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart. Prefers fertile, well-draining loam with a pH of 6.0-6.8.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily). Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Moderate drought tolerance once established.
Companion Plants
Good companions include basil, tomatoes, carrots, and onions. Avoid planting near fennel, kohlrabi, or other brassicas.
Special Characteristics
High vitamin C content, excellent pollinator attraction, good heat tolerance once established, fruit can be harvested green or left to ripen to sweet red.