Also known as Pepper · 290 saves
Capsicum
Capsicum, the genus most gardeners know as pepper. We track 24 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 23 most-saved Capsicum varieties
Browse all 24 Capsicum varieties →
3 species of Capsicum
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Capsicum in Sow
Save the Capsicum you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Capsicum
Whats common across all Capsicum varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 24 most-grown of them.
The Capsicum year
- HarvestJuly–October92% of varieties
Harvest when peppers are firm and fully yellow
- FertilizeMay–August88% of varieties
Use a balanced fertilizer, switching to high-P/K when fruit sets
- PlantApril and May83% of varieties
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- Check for PestsMay–August75% of varieties
Monitor for aphids, flea beetles, and hornworms
- StakeJune and July58% of varieties
Provide support (cage or stake) as heavy fruits develop
- Pinch TipsMay46% of varieties
Pinch off the first few flowers to encourage plant growth
Do
- Use organic compost to enrich soil
- Provide full sun for at least 6 hours daily
- Monitor regularly for pests and diseases
- Start seed early with bottom heat 🌡️
- Provide full sun for optimal growth
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Allow soil to dry out completely between watering ❌
- Plant out into cold soil ❌
- Touch your eyes after handling fruit ❌
What goes wrong with Capsicum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on undersides of leaves | Increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine stippling and bronzing of the leaves with webbing, worst under cover in dry heat | Raise humidity and rinse the leaf undersides; drought-stressed plants are the most vulnerable |
| Pepper Weevil | Fruit drops early with small entry holes and hollowed insides | Remove and destroy fallen fruit; rotate planting sites |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and spray with potassium bicarbonate |
| Early Blight | Dark spots on leaves and stems | Apply copper fungicide and remove infected debris |
| Anthracnose | Dark, sunken spots on fruit | Use copper-based fungicide and practice crop rotation |
Making more Capsicum
Cuttings
- Select healthy, non-flowering stems.
- Mist cuttings and place in moist soil or water.
- Wait 4-6 weeks for roots to develop.
- Transplant rooted cuttings into the garden.
Seed starting
- Tuck seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed-starting mix.
- Mist lightly and keep soil moist.
- Maintain temperature at 75°F for germination, about 7-14 days.
- Transplant seedlings when they have 2-3 true leaves.
Capsicum questions
How many types of Capsicum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 24 distinct Capsicum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 290 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Capsicum grow in?
Across its varieties, Capsicum covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Capsicum bloom?
Most Capsicum varieties bloom in early summer, mid-summer, early to mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Capsicum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.