Also known as Pepper · 220 gardener saves
Capsicum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Capsicum, the genus most gardeners know as pepper. We track 21 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Capsicum varieties
Of 21 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSweet Banana Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Banana'
#2 most savedPoblano Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Poblano'
#3 most savedEarly Jalapeño
Capsicum annuum 'Early Jalapeno'
Yum Yum Peppers
Capsicum annuum 'Yum Yums Hybrid Mixed Mini Bells'
Aji Amarillo
Capsicum baccatum 'Aji Amarillo'
Cajun Fire Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Cajun Fire'
Chile de Arbol
Capsicum annuum 'Chile de Arbol'
Golden California Wonder Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Golden California Wonder'
Hot Chile Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Hot-chi Mama'
Jimmy Nardello's Italian Frying Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Jimmy Nardello's Italian Frying'
Mama Mia Giallo Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Mama Mia Giallo'
Lunchbox Red Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Lunchbox Red'
Browse all 21 Capsicum varieties →
How to grow Capsicum
What the Capsicum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 21 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Capsicum year
- HarvestJuly–October100% of varieties
Harvest when peppers are firm and fully yellow
- FertilizeMay–August100% of varieties
Use a balanced fertilizer, switching to high-P/K when fruit sets
- PlantApril and May95% of varieties
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- Check for PestsMay–August86% of varieties
Monitor for aphids, flea beetles, and hornworms
- StakeJune and July67% of varieties
Provide support (cage or stake) as heavy fruits develop
- Pinch TipsMay52% 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
- Provide full sun for optimal growth
- Water deeply and regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Allow soil to dry out completely between watering ❌
- Don’t plant in shaded areas; peppers need full sun
- Refrain from neglecting pest monitoring
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 webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| 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 21 distinct Capsicum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 220 real gardener saves — 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.
Keep exploring
Capsicum shows up in
Design with Capsicum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
