When to Plant Hot Peppers in Maine
Hot peppers range from mildly spicy jalapenos to scorching superhots. They require long, warm growing seasons and produce capsaicin that gives them their heat.
Maine spans USDA hardiness zones 5a, 5b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
Find Your County
Click your county for exact Hot Peppers planting dates based on your local frost dates.
Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.
Hot Peppers Planting Calendar for Maine
▸ Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 14 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 2 | May 2 – May 23 |
| Harvest | July 18 | Jul 18 – Oct 24 |
▸ Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 7 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Direct Sow | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 16 |
| Harvest | July 11 | Jul 11 – Oct 17 |
Growing Tips for Maine
Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost as they germinate slowly. Use heat mats to maintain 80-85F soil temperature for germination. Stress plants slightly by reducing water to increase heat levels.
Hot Peppers in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Hot Peppers in Maine?
Planting dates for Hot Peppers in Maine depend on your USDA zone. Maine spans zones 5a, 5b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Maine for planting?
Maine contains USDA hardiness zones 5a, 5b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.