Bell pepper

Capsicum annuum

Warm‑season · frost‑sensitive · start indoors

130–155 days from seed to harvest

60–85 days to harvest after transplant

Ideal21 – 29 °C

Tolerates13 – 35 °C

Bell pepper is a warm-season, frost-sensitive fruiting vegetable in the nightshade family. The usual start is indoors, then transplant, and harvest is about 60–85 days from transplant (about 9 to 12 weeks).

Primary method: start indoors

Bell pepper is usually started indoors, then moved outside when the weather suits the tolerable range.

Start seed. Sow seed indoors. Germination typically takes 10–20 days.
Grow seedlings. Keep seedlings growing indoors until they are ready to harden off. About 6 weeks (43 days)
Harden off. Gradually acclimate indoor seedlings to outdoor conditions before planting. About 7 days
Transplant. Move seedlings outside once daytime air stays inside the tolerable range. 13 – 35 °C.
Grow to harvest. About 10–12 weeks indoors before transplant (about 70 days total). 60–85 days from transplant (about 9 to 12 weeks).

Typical days from indoor sowing to harvest — not calendar dates.

Start seed
Day 0–20
10–20 days
Grow indoors
Day 20–63
43 days
Harden off
Day 63–70
7 days
Transplant
~Day 70
when days stay within 13 – 35 °C
Grow outdoors
Day 71–130
59 days
Harvest
Day 130–155
60–85 days from transplant

Direct sowing

Direct sowing is not the usual method for this plant, so there is no separate direct-sow schedule here.

Care basics

Sun: full sun, at least 6 hours of direct sun.

This plant does not tolerate frost.

Types and varieties

Other names: Sweet pepper, Capsicum, Paprika pepper, Green pepper, Red pepper. Variety groups are not listed here.

Growing facts

Growing requirements for this plant. Temperatures are daytime air temperatures in °C.
Attribute	Value
Plant name	Bell pepper
Scientific name	Capsicum annuum
Family	Solanaceae (nightshade family)
Time to harvest	60–85 days from transplant (about 9 to 12 weeks)
Days to germinate	10–20 days
Ideal growing temperature	21 – 29 °C
Minimum tolerable temperature	13 °C
Maximum tolerable temperature	35 °C
Start indoors	Yes, usual method
Direct sow	Not the usual method
Season type	Warm-season, frost-sensitive
Typical start method	Start indoors, then transplant
Light	full sun, 6+ hours direct sun

Glossary

Ideal temperature: The preferred daytime range for good growth.
Tolerable temperature: A wider range where the plant can still grow, less optimally.
Harden off: Gradually acclimating indoor seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
Transplant: Moving seedlings into the garden.
Days to harvest: The usual time to harvest, counted from the start point named beside the number (seed, transplant, or planting).

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