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 harvest, depending on whether harvested green or fully mature colored.
🌡️ 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, cream to pale yellow-brown in color, with a smooth to slightly wrinkled surface. The resulting plant is a bushy, branching perennial grown as an annual, producing glossy, blocky bell peppers that mature from green to red, yellow, or orange, reaching 2 to 3 feet in height.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Summer, start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost, sensitive to frost
Germination
Germination takes 7 to 21 days at an optimal soil temperature of 70-85°F (21-29°C). High germination rate with moderate light needs for sprouting, no special pre-treatment required.
Planting Instructions
Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep, spaced 18-24 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart. Prefers well-draining, fertile loam soil rich in organic matter 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
Beneficial companions include basil, tomatoes, carrots, and onions. Avoid planting near fennel, kohlrabi, or members of the brassica family.
Special Characteristics
Pollinator-friendly, high in vitamin C, good heat tolerance, excellent for containers and garden beds.