Growing Guide: Bell Peppers

Bell peppers description:

Peppers can be divided into two types: sweet and spicy. Bell peppers are of the sweet variety, and their crisp, juicy flesh is exceptionally refreshing. Peppers can come in a wide variety of colors, though you’re most likely to see green, yellow, orange, and red varieties in the supermarket.

A common misconception about peppers is that all of the colors come from the same plant and are just picked at different stages of ripeness. While it’s true that green peppers can go on to ripen into other colors, it depends on the variety you’re growing. In addition to that familiar rainbow of colors, bell peppers also come in shades of purple, brown, and white. There are even some varieties that are striped and others that stay green through all levels of ripeness.

Here’s a fun fact: we use peppers as vegetables when preparing food, but they’re actually fruits – and they’re botanically classified as berries!

Another commonly-quoted myth is that peppers have genders which are indicated by the number of bumps on the bottom. Peppers, like all fruits, are genderless. The number of bumps on peppers depends on the plant’s variety and the conditions in which they were grown.

What is the best container for growing bell peppers?

Peppers tend to grow very well in containers, so they’re an ideal crop for small-space gardeners. The container should be at least five gallons, but a 10-gallon size is even better. Make sure the container has adequate drainage so the plant’s roots don’t become waterlogged.

How do you germinate bell pepper seeds?

Bell pepper seeds can take several weeks to germinate and have a relatively long period to maturity, which is why gardeners typically buy starter plants from nurseries instead of growing them from seed.

Having said that, though, it’s absolutely possible to grow bell peppers from seeds! Start them in small pots or a germination tray filled with a dampened seed-starting medium about eight to 10 weeks before the last frost of the season. Bury the seeds about a quarter of an inch in the starting mix and keep the medium consistently moist, but never waterlogged. 

Pepper seeds have the best chance of successful germination when they’re kept warm – between 70 and 80°F. Use a seed-starting mat and grow lights to keep the seed-starting mix in this temperature range. Once they sprout, try to give the seedlings a generous 12-14 hours of light every day.

When should you plant bell pepper seeds?

Begin germinating your seeds eight to 10 weeks before the last frost, then transplant the seedlings into their outdoor containers two to three weeks after the threat of frost has passed and the soil temperature is consistently over 60°F.

Before you put them in the ground, you’ll need to “harden off” the baby plants for about 10 days. Place the tray or pots outdoors in the shade for two hours the first day, then gradually increase the time they spend outside (and the amount of sun they receive) each day. After 10 days, they should be ready to go into their permanent homes. 

When planting the seedlings, be careful not to disturb the roots too much. There’s no need to “loosen” the roots or shake the seed-starting medium off. Place the seedlings in a pre-watered hole that’s about an inch deeper than the one they just came from. If the lowest set of leaves will be at or below the soil level when planting, pinch those bottom leaves off. You can put two small seedlings in one hole to encourage the plants to support and protect one another while growing, but don’t try to put more than that in one pot – peppers love to spread their leaves out, so give them plenty of room!

Transplanting your little pepper seedlings in the full heat and sun of a summer day can cause shock, so plan to plant them in the evening or on a cloudy day, and be sure the soil is thoroughly watered.

Bell pepper care guide:

Bell peppers may be easy to grow, but that doesn’t mean you can just plop them into containers and forget about them. Peppers need a lot of sunlight to thrive, so they should be planted in a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. Fruit growth will be inhibited if the plants get too hot. If the weather is going to reach temperatures above 90°F, consider protecting the pepper plants with shade cloth so they don’t wilt or drop any leaves or blossoms.

Peppers are also very particular about their water – the soil they’re in should be consistently moist, but never soggy. Always water the base of the plants and be careful not to get the leaves wet as this can lead to disease.

Whether you’re planting in a garden bed or a container, don’t plant peppers where you’ve previously grown tomatoes or other members of the nightshade family. Doing so can increase the risk of your pepper plants contracting certain diseases. 

Pepper plants typically require some kind of support to keep the weight of the fruits from bending or breaking the branches. Place stakes or cages around the seedlings at the time of planting so you don’t risk damaging the roots by placing them later on. 

When the plants start to develop blossoms, pinch off the first few to encourage the plants to put more energy into leaf growth before producing fruit.

Harvesting and storing bell peppers:

Bell peppers can be harvested when they reach their desired size and color. For green peppers, pick them when they are full-sized and glossy. For red, yellow, or orange peppers, wait until they reach their mature color.

Use scissors or pruning shears to cut the peppers from the plant. Snip the stem cleanly rather than just pulling the peppers off to avoid damaging the plant. 

Store freshly harvested bell peppers in the refrigerator in an airtight container, where they can stay fresh for up to two weeks. Peppers are also easy to preserve by freezing or dehydrating.

Harvesting bell pepper seeds:

To keep your pepper supply going for years to come, choose the healthiest plant with the tastiest fruit and leave one pepper on the plant. Let it fully ripen on the plant until it starts to wrinkle a little.

When a pepper is fully mature, harvesting the seeds from the interior of the fruit is very easy. Just cut it open to find a large number of small white seeds clinging to the “core” or just rolling around loose inside. Run a finger over the seeds to dislodge them, then spread them onto a dry paper towel or screen and leave them there until they are completely dry, which should only take about a week. 

Transfer the fully dry seeds to a jar, envelope, or other container that’s clearly labeled with the type of pepper they came from and the year they were harvested. The seeds will remain viable for up to five years.