vegetable

Peppers

Need more heat and a longer indoor start than tomatoes. Short-season varieties matter north of zone 7.

Sun

Full sun

Spacing

12–18 in

Days

60–85

Zones

4a–11a

How to sow

Start 8 weeks before last frost. They want 75–80°F at the roots. Transplant two weeks after tomatoes.

Harvest

Bells can be eaten green. Color is extra time. Snip, do not yank.

Mistakes that waste a packet

• Starting them with tomatoes (they need two more weeks)
• Cold soil
• Waiting for every fruit to turn red in a short season

Three packets

• California Wonder

  Beginner

  The standard bell. Start early and keep them warm.

  Get seed at True Leaf Market

• Hungarian Hot Wax

  Short season

  Sets fruit in cool summers when bells stall.

  Get seed at Seeds Now

• Shishito

  Flavor

  Blister and salt. Productive in a pot.

  Get seed at Botanical Interests

Partner links may earn us a commission. We do not warehouse these packets. See indoor start dates for your ZIP.