🌶️ Bell Pepper
Capsicum annuum
vegetables
fruit (culinary vegetable)
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6, 8+ hours daily); can tolerate partial shade in very hot climates (Zone 9+)
💧 Water
Medium; 1, 2 inches per week; consistent moisture prevents blossom end rot; reduce watering slightly when fruiting for hotter peppers
🗺️ Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
🧪 Soil pH
6.0, 6.8 (slightly acidic to neutral)
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, well-drained sandy loam with plenty of compost; high organic matter
🚿 Drainage
Well-drained essential; peppers are highly susceptible to root rot in wet soil; raised beds recommended in clay soils
📏 Spacing
18, 24 inches apart; rows 24, 36 inches apart; wider spacing for larger varieties
⏱️ Maturity
60-90 days (from transplant); 120-150 days from seed
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Fruit (whole pepper)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (7)
Repels aphids, spider mites, mosquitoes, and whiteflies; some say it improves pepper flavor
Carrots loosen soil for pepper roots; peppers provide light shade; minimal competition for nutrients
Repels aphids and Japanese beetles; antifungal properties may reduce disease pressure
Repels nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies; bright flowers attract pollinators and beneficial wasps
Trap crop for aphids; repels whiteflies and squash bugs; edible flowers attract pollinators IMPORTANT management caveat: without active management, nasturtiums can become a SOURCE of aphids that migrate to nearby crops. Either remove aphid-infested nasturtium plants promptly, or treat the trap crop itself to eliminate the aphid colony before it spreads. Strategic placement within 4-5 feet of protected crops is key.
Strong aromatic oils repel aphids and spider mites; low-growing ground cover shades soil and suppresses weeds
Similar growing conditions (warm, sunny, well-drained); but rotate carefully as both are Solanaceae sharing some diseases
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Apricot
Peppers may host a fungus (Verticillium or Phytophthora) that causes apricot tree dieback , avoid planting peppers near apricot trees
⚠️ Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale)
Allelopathic relationship , brassicas may stunt pepper growth; competing root exudates
Allelopathic , strongly inhibits growth of peppers and most garden plants
💊 Medicinal Uses
Medicinal Properties
- Extremely high in vitamin C (2, 3x citrus by weight); one bell pepper provides >100% daily vitamin C
- Rich in vitamin A (beta-carotene), B6, and folate
- Capsaicin (in hot peppers only, not bell): topical analgesic, anti-inflammatory, metabolism booster
📝 Growing Notes
Bell peppers are the same species as jalapeños and many other peppers , just selected for no heat. They thrive in warm soil (65°F+). Blossom end rot is a calcium deficiency often caused by inconsistent watering. Peppers and tomatoes share the same disease family (Solanaceae), so rotate them together in 3, 4 year cycles.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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