Move over, tomatoes—peppers are quickly becoming a garden favorite across America, and it’s easy to see why. With their vibrant colors, bold flavors, and endless variety, peppers are just as beautiful in your garden as they are delicious on your plate. Even better? Since peppers are often one of the pricier items in the produce aisle, growing your own can save you serious cash.
Whether you tuck a few plants into your flower beds or dedicate a raised bed entirely to peppers, this warm-weather crop is surprisingly easy and rewarding for beginners.
When & Where to Grow Peppers
Peppers thrive in hot, sunny climates. They hate the cold—nighttime temps below 55°F will stunt their growth, and a single frost can kill them. So wait until all danger of frost has passed before transplanting your seedlings outdoors.
Ideal growing conditions:
- Full sun (6+ hours/day)
- Warm temperatures (above 70°F)
- Well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- A location where nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, etc.) haven’t grown recently to avoid soilborne disease
Short on garden space? No problem—peppers grow well in containers too!
How to Plant Peppers
Peppers are annuals, meaning they complete their lifecycle in one season. You can start them from seed indoors or purchase young transplants from a nursery.
Starting Pepper Seeds Indoors
Starting from seed gives you more variety and control over your plants.
When to start:
Begin 8–10 weeks before your area’s last frost date.
How to plant:
- Use seed-starting trays with a seedling heat mat to keep soil warm (~80°F).
- Plant 2 seeds per cell about ¼ inch deep.
- Use grow lights to ensure 12–16 hours of light daily.
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
Transplanting seedlings:
At 6 weeks old, move seedlings to larger pots if needed. Harden them off 7–10 days before planting outside by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
Prepping Your Garden Bed for Peppers
Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. Peppers prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–6.5). Raised beds are a great option, as they warm up faster in the spring.
Soil prep tips:
- Mix in 1–2 inches of organic compost.
- Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers; too much nitrogen = lush leaves, few fruits.
- Mulch with straw or shredded leaves to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
Transplanting Peppers Outdoors
Once the soil has warmed and your seedlings are 4–6 inches tall, it’s go time.
Planting tips:
- Remove any flowers or baby fruits before transplanting.
- Plant on a cloudy day if possible.
- Space plants 12–20 inches apart.
- Bury roots at least 1 inch deep.
- Add mulch around the base.
- Stake or cage tall varieties for support as they grow.
Watering & Feeding Peppers
Watering:
Peppers need about 1 inch of water per week—more during dry spells. Drip irrigation is ideal to avoid wetting leaves, which can spread disease.
Feeding:
Peppers are heavy feeders. Add compost throughout the season or use an organic fertilizer that’s high in phosphorus and calcium.
Companion Planting & Crop Rotation
Peppers grow well alongside:
- Carrots
- Beans
- Marjoram
- Onions
- Tomatoes
Avoid planting peppers where other nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant) grew in the past 2–3 years. This reduces the risk of disease.
Common Pepper Pests & Diseases
Peppers are generally hardy, but watch for these issues:
Pests:
- Tarnished plant bug: Sucks sap from flowers; use row covers to prevent.
- Blister beetles: Eat leaves; handpick and remove.
- Cutworms & snails: May target young plants.
Diseases:
- Mosaic virus (spread by aphids): Leaves appear crinkled and thick. Use resistant varieties like ‘Tam Jalapeño’ and remove infected leaves.
Harvesting & Storing Peppers
You can harvest peppers at any stage, but they’re sweeter the longer they ripen.
How to harvest:
- Use pruning shears to cut fruit with a small stem attached.
- Store in the fridge for several weeks.
Preservation options:
- Drying
- Blanching & freezing
- Pickling
How to Save Pepper Seeds
Want to grow your favorite peppers again next year?
Steps:
- Isolate plants you want to save seeds from to prevent cross-pollination.
- Let fruits ripen fully until soft.
- Remove and dry the largest seeds.
- Store in a cool, dry place—they’ll stay viable for up to 3 years.
Choosing the Right Pepper Varieties
There’s a pepper for every palate. Here are the most popular types:
Sweet Bell Peppers:
Classic, blocky shape. Ripen red, orange, or yellow.
Try: ‘Canary Bell’, ‘Etuida’
Specialty Sweet Peppers:
Tapered shape, ideal for frying or snacking.
Try: Pimentos, Banana Peppers
Hot Peppers:
Range from mild to fiery.
Try: Jalapeños, Cayennes, Habaneros
👉 Check Out Our Hot Pepper Growing Guide
Ornamental Peppers:
Grown for color and shape, not flavor.
Try: ‘Pretty in Purple’
Extra Tips for Growing Amazing Peppers
- Pinch early flowers: Focus the plant’s energy on growth, not early fruit.
- Prevent sunscald: Provide midday shade or plant closer together for leaf cover.
- Go light on nitrogen: Too much = leafy plants, few peppers.
Growing peppers at home is not only budget-friendly—it’s also a flavorful and colorful way to enjoy gardening. With a bit of care and the right conditions, you’ll be harvesting basketfuls of vibrant, homegrown peppers all season long.