Growing peppers: guides by type
Ohio-first basics, then one guide per species, each quoted from land-grant extension publications.
The quotations below give germination, transplanting, spacing and season-length guidance for peppers. Each guide covers one type.
Capsicum annuum
Open the Capsicum annuum guide.
Capsicum chinense
Open the Capsicum chinense guide.
Capsicum baccatum
Open the Capsicum baccatum guide.
Capsicum pubescens
Open the Capsicum pubescens guide.
Capsicum frutescens
Open the Capsicum frutescens guide.
Indoors and overwintering
Open the indoors and overwintering guide.
Our guide written by Pepperheads
Ohio State says pepper seeds germinate when soil temperatures are 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ohio State gives eight to ten weeks before the expected planting date for indoor sowing, and says to begin hardening off when seedlings are about six to eight weeks old. Oregon State says to delay transplanting until frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Missouri says peppers are typically planted about two weeks after tomatoes.
Ohio State gives general spacing of 18 to 24 inches and says this may change depending on the variety. Missouri says days to maturity vary significantly depending on the species, variety and growing conditions. Each guide below quotes what its sources say about one type and lists what we did not find.
Five Capsicum species, with examples
Examples as listed by Illinois Extension: How to grow peppers (checked October 14, 2026):
- C. annuum:
C. annuum Anaheim, Banana, Bell, Cayenne, Hungarian Wax, Jalapeno, Medusa, Poblano, and Serrano
- C. baccatum:
C. baccatum Bishop’s Crown, Lemon Drop
- C. chinense:
C. chinense Carolina Reaper, Datil, Ghost Pepper, Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, and Trinidad Scorpion
- C. frutescens:
C. frutescens African Birdseye, Tobasco
- C. pubescens:
C. pubescens Canario, Rocoto
Basics for every pepper
Germination
Pepper seeds germinate when soil temperatures are 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so a warm location or external heat source such as a seedling heat mat may be needed to start seeds indoors.
Starting indoors
Starting seeds indoors is an option for Ohio gardeners and can be done eight to ten weeks before expected planting date.
Direct seeding
Direct seeding in the garden is not recommended in Ohio unless protective coverings such as hoop houses are used.
Hardening off
When seedlings are approximately six to eight weeks old, begin “hardening off” to adapt them to outdoor climates.
Temperature
Temperatures should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the day, and above 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night (60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal).
Spacing
Generally, plants should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart in the garden but this may change, depending on the variety.
Water
Peppers should get 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
Planting date
They require warmer growing temperatures than tomatoes and typically are planted about two weeks later.
Transplant soil
Delay transplant until the danger of frost is past and until the soil has warmed to at least 60°F.
Season length
For this reason, some cultivars should not be grown where the frost-free growing season is less than 120 days.
Days to harvest
In many areas, day and night temperatures are so low that it may take an extra 15 to 20 days for the fruit to mature.
Days to maturity vary significantly depending on the species, variety, and growing conditions.