Peppers Planting Guide
Sweet peppers are warm-season crops producing fruits in a rainbow of colors. They turn from green to red, yellow, or orange as they ripen, increasing in sweetness.
Capsicum annuum · Vegetable · Solanaceae family · 60–90 days to maturity
Where Can You Grow Peppers?
Peppers Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Peppers planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Feb 27 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Aug 7 – Oct 9 |
| Zone 3b | Feb 22 | May 24 | May 31 | Aug 2 – Oct 4 |
| Zone 4a | Feb 18 | May 20 | May 27 | Jul 29 – Oct 7 |
| Zone 4b | Feb 13 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 24 – Oct 2 |
| Zone 5a | Feb 14 | May 2 | May 9 | Jul 11 – Sep 19 |
| Zone 5b | Feb 7 | Apr 25 | May 2 | Jul 4 – Sep 12 |
| Zone 6a | Jan 30 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jun 26 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 6b | Jan 23 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jun 19 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 7a | Jan 21 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | Jun 10 – Aug 19 |
| Zone 7b | Jan 14 | Mar 25 | Apr 1 | Jun 3 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 8a | Jan 4 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | May 24 – Aug 2 |
| Zone 8b | Dec 24 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | May 13 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 9a | Dec 30 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | Apr 21 – Jun 30 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 14 | Jan 25 | Feb 1 | Apr 5 – Jun 14 |
| Zone 10a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 10b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 11a | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 11b | Nov 20 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Soil pH
6 – 7
Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 11b
Growing Tips
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant when nighttime temperatures stay above 55F. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote leaves over fruit.
Saving Peppers Seeds
Isolate 300 ft for purity. Hot and sweet peppers can cross-pollinate.
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Peppers by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- 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
How long does it take to grow Peppers?
Peppers (Capsicum annuum) takes 60 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Peppers grow in?
Peppers can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Peppers need?
Growing Peppers requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.