How To Grow Pepper Seeds (Sweet Peppers)

How To Grow Pepper Seeds (Sweet Peppers)

Updated on Feb 03, 2022
By Shannon McCabe

A member of the Solanaceae family, peppers are a global crop with an astounding range of flavors, from blazing hot to sugar sweet, and a dazzling diversity of shapes, colors and sizes.

HISTORY

Peppers are native to South and Central America. Once Christopher Columbus got his hands on them, they spread quickly through Europe and beyond. Eggplants and tomatoes are in the same family as peppers; they, too, were introduced to Europe around the same time. Unlike with peppers, however, Europeans were slow to embrace tomatoes and eggplants as food crops, relegating them to ornamental status because of a widespread belief that eggplant and tomato were poisonous.

USES

  • Many culinary uses.

  • Pepper seeds can be a bit challenging to germinate. However, once established they will flourish in most gardens with little fussing.
  • Start seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before the last frost date. It can be helpful to provide a source of bottom heat, such as an electric seed-starting heat mat, to encourage germination. Hotspots around the house, such as on top of the refrigerator, can also work well.
  • In good temps (80- 85 F) seeds sprout promptly.
  • Grow them under good light or in full sun.
  • Sow seeds ¼ inch deep.
  • Germination temperature is 70-95 F.
  • Seeds germinate in 7-10 days.

  • Set hardened transplants outdoors when temperatures have reached a consistent 65 degrees and all chance of frost is past.
  • Plants should be set about 16 inches apart in full sun.
  • Peppers love heat and sunshine.
  • Growers in northern climates should consider using black plastic mulch to warm the soil in the spring.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Blossom end rot is a common ailment of peppers. Fortunately, this is one of the most easily remedied issues. Inconsistent watering is usually the cause. Be sure to water consistently, and consider purchasing drip tape irrigation.

  • Peppers are mainly self pollinating, but bees occasionally work pepper flowers.
  • To be absolutely sure that you will not have any crossing, different varieties should be isolated by 500 feet.
  • To save seed, allow the fruit to mature fully; then simply remove seeds.
  • Let seeds dry for a week before storing in a jar.
  • Pepper seeds will remain viable for up to 5 years.