Pepper

Capsicum annuum · Vegetable

Sweet or hot, peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes and grow more slowly at first. Once settled in hot weather they set fruit steadily, and they do well in pots on a sunny balcony.

💧WaterEvery 2–3 days in summer, keep evenly moist (estimated)

☀️LightFull sun, 6–8 hours

🐾PetsHot fruit irritates

Care at a glance

Light: Full sun, 6–8 hours a day
Water: About 1 in per week; keep evenly moist
Soil: Well-drained, fertile, pH 6.0–6.8
Temperature: Best 70–85 °F; stalls below 55 °F
Spacing: 18 in in the row, 24–30 in between rows
Container: At least 3 gallons, 10 in deep
Harvest: 60–90 days after transplanting (estimated)
Lifespan: Annual (perennial in frost-free climates)

When?

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost. Plant out when nights stay above 55 °F, usually 1–2 weeks after tomatoes (estimated).

Step by step

Sow seeds 1/4 in deep; they need 75–85 °F soil to sprout, often in 7–14 days.
Grow seedlings under strong light so they stay compact.
Harden off for a week before planting outside.
Plant at the same depth as in the pot, in warm soil.
Mulch once the soil has warmed to keep moisture steady.
Stake tall plants; branches break easily under heavy fruit.
Cut fruit off with scissors rather than pulling.

Common problems

Dark sunken patch on fruitUneven watering; keep soil evenly moist.

Flowers fall without fruitNights too hot or too cold; it improves when weather settles.

Pale patches on sun side of fruitSunscald; keep enough leaf cover, give light shade in heat waves.

Pets

Not listed as toxic by ASPCA, but hot pepper fruit can irritate pets' mouths and stomachs; don't let them chew the plant. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Similar plants

Tomato Eggplant Basil

Sources

ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.