Growing peppers from seed requires a lot of patience and constant care to ensure your plants grow as healthily as possible. For new growers, this may seem rather daunting trying to get your peppers sprouting directly from your garden’s soil. But as long as you know the type of seeds you plan to grow and take great care of the growing conditions for them, you’ll be rewarded with nice, healthy-looking plants and beautiful pepper pods.
We explain more about how long it takes to grow different peppers from seed, as well as the different factors and considerations to be aware of as a grower before you start burying your seeds in the soil.
Growing peppers from seed is a rewarding endeavor for any gardener. However, it does require patience, as pepper plants take some time to go from seed to harvest. In this complete growing guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how long pepper plants take to grow, the key growth stages, and tips for getting the most out of your pepper crop.
Overview of Pepper Growth Stages
Pepper plants go through a series of growth phases on their journey from seed to fruiting plant Here’s a quick overview
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Germination The seed sprouts and the first roots and leaves emerge Takes 1-2 weeks
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Seedling phase: The young pepper plant focuses on root and leaf growth. Takes 4-6 weeks.
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Vegetative growth: The plant matures, continuing to grow stems, leaves, and roots. Takes 4-8 weeks.
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Flowering: Pepper plants begin to develop flower buds. Takes 1-2 weeks.
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Fruiting: Flowers pollinate and the pepper fruits begin to form. Plants continue flowering and fruiting for 6-10 weeks.
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Ripening: Peppers mature and ripen in color. Takes 2-4 weeks.
The total time from seed to harvest ranges quite a bit, from 10-20 weeks depending on the pepper variety Let’s take a closer look at how long each growth stage takes.
How Long Does Each Growth Stage Take?
The amount of time pepper plants spend in each growing phase depends on a few key factors:
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Variety – Days to maturity can range from 60 days for fast-growing types like Padron peppers, up to 120+ days for slower varieties like habaneros.
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Growing method – Starting peppers from transplants versus seed saves 4-6 weeks in the seedling phase.
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Environment – Optimal temps (65-85°F), sunlight, and care speed up growth. Stress slows it down.
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Harvest time – Peppers can be picked earlier for green fruit, saving time. Fully ripe peppers take longer.
Here’s a more detailed timeline of what to expect for each phase of pepper growth:
Germination Time: 1-2 Weeks
Pepper seeds usually sprout within 5-10 days after planting if given proper warmth and moisture. Temperatures between 70-85°F are ideal for quick germination.
You’ll know germination is complete when the seedling emerges from the soil and the first true leaves unfold.
Seedling Phase: 4-6 Weeks
For the next month or two, pepper seedlings work on developing roots and leaves. Their stems grow thicker and leaves get larger.
After 4-6 weeks in a warm, sunny spot the seedlings will have multiple sets of true leaves and a well-established root system. Now they’re ready for transplanting!
Starting peppers from transplants saves time here. Mature transplants are ready to fruit within 8-10 weeks of transplanting.
Vegetative Growth: 4-8 Weeks
Once planted into the garden or final containers, pepper plants focus their energy on maturing. Growth accelerates as roots expand deeper and plants grow taller.
Leaves, stems, and roots all elongate rapidly during this stage. Expect your plants to double or triple in size!
Flowering: 1-2 Weeks
As plants mature, the first flower buds emerge. This signals the start of the reproductive stage.
Flowers generally form 8-12 weeks after germination. The timing depends on variety, plant health, and how quickly they grew in earlier stages.
Fruiting: 6-10+ Weeks
Following successful pollination, fertilized flowers develop into pepper fruits. Fruiting happens continually over 1-3 months.
How long before picking depends if harvesting green vs. ripe peppers. Sweet bells take 10-12 weeks to fully ripen from pollination.
Ripening: 2-4 Weeks
Many pepper varieties change color as they ripen – turning red, orange, yellow, chocolate brown, etc.
Full ripening takes several weeks beyond reaching mature green stage. Hot peppers also continue gaining heat during this time.
Growing Tips for Faster Peppers
You can speed up growing time by a week or two with optimal care. Here are a few tips:
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Start plants indoors for a head start on the season.
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Use row covers or cloches to boost warmth in spring and fall.
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Amend soil with compost and fertilize regularly for vigorous plants.
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Water deeply and ensure pots have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Allow plenty of sunlight – at least 6-8 hours per day.
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Prune excessive flowers and leaves to focus energy on existing fruits.
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Pick peppers early for green harvests. Time from pollination to ripe fruit is longer.
However, rushing growth too much can reduce yields and fruit quality. Find a happy medium for your climate and variety.
Common Pepper Growing Times
Below are estimated timeframes from seed to harvest for some popular pepper varieties:
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Sweet bell peppers – About 70-80 days to maturity as green, 85-95 days for full color.
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Banana peppers – 55-75 days to harvest, depending on variety.
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Jalapeño – 65-80 days. Can harvest green at 55 days.
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Poblano – 65-75 days green, 85-95 days for ripe red.
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Cayenne – 75-90 days to mature red stage.
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Serrano – 75-85 days.
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Habanero – 100-120 days for fully ripe.
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Ghost pepper – 100-140 days. Longest for red color.
Check seed packets and plant tags for the “days to maturity” timeline specific to your variety. Use these as a guide, not an absolute guarantee!
Be Patient for Pepper Rewards
While peppers take patience compared to quick crops like lettuce and radishes, the results are well worth the wait. Following proper growing timelines ensures your plants stay healthy and productive.
With a little planning and care along the way, you’ll be harvesting mounds of crisp bell peppers, spicy chili peppers, and more before you know it. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Pepper Seed vs. Seedling
Both options – starting from seed versus seedling – are great for your garden. Many growers opt to start with seedlings and transfer them directly into their garden’s soil. However, there are benefits to growing peppers from seed rather than from seedling:
- Cost-Effective: Growing peppers from seed costs less money than buying seedlings. To compare, the cost of a packet of 10+ seeds ranges from $3-7, while seedlings range from $5-15.
- More Control: Additionally, you have better control over the variables and factors that affect your peppers and pepper plants if you start from seed. This includes the preferred soil and environment the grower wants for the seed, suitable companion plants, and even certain pesticides or other treatments.
- READ: 10 Companion Plants for Peppers
- More Rewarding: Let’s face it – when you start something from scratch and see it through all the way to the end, you feel more rewarded for the hard work and effort put into growing these plants. While it’s nice to have that extra boost with seedlings, pepper seeds give you the complete journey of growing peppers.
Another question that’s frequently brought up: will growing peppers in containers affect their germination and growth? The short answer: it depends.
The type of pepper you choose to grow from seed will have different plant characteristics than other pepper seeds. Some plants are more compact and grow well in containers, like ornamental pepper plants. Other types, however, may grow too tall for the container to anchor it down, or the plant requires plenty of room for its roots to spread out beneath the soil. Also, the plant itself may be compact, but the peppers they grow might be incredibly large which affects how the container holds the plant.
However, many people choose to start their pepper seeds and seedlings in containers and then move them outdoors.
- Check out some of our Seed Starting Supplies to help increase germination and overall gardening success!
Other Questions on Growing Peppers from Seed
Lastly, there are a few common questions first-time growers have when they start growing peppers from seed.
Grow The BEST Peppers In Containers In 5 Easy Steps
FAQ
How long does it take pepper plants to grow?
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Growing Season:Peppers have a relatively long growing season, making it common for gardeners to start them indoors before planting them outdoors.
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Time to Maturity:The time from seed to harvest can vary depending on the pepper variety, with some maturing faster than others.
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Factors Affecting Growth:
- Climate: Warmer climates promote faster growth, while cold temperatures can slow down development.
- Variety: Some pepper varieties are naturally faster-growing than others.
- Growing Conditions: Factors like soil quality, sunlight access, and water management play a crucial role in pepper plant growth.
- Nutrition: Providing adequate nutrients and fertilization can help expedite the growth of pepper plants.
- Climate: Warmer climates promote faster growth, while cold temperatures can slow down development.
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Starting Seeds:
- Peppers are warm-weather plants, so gardeners in cooler climates can start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last expected frost.
- Keep seeds warm (80-90°F) for fast germination.
- Consider using seedling heat mats to aid germination and early growth.
- Peppers are warm-weather plants, so gardeners in cooler climates can start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last expected frost.
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Transplanting:
- Transplant pepper seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
- Ensure the plants receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
- Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Transplant pepper seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
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Maintenance:
- Pruning and supporting the stems can help maximize growth and fruit production.
- Ensure adequate pollination for successful fruit development.
- Pruning and supporting the stems can help maximize growth and fruit production.
Should you water pepper plants every day?
Peppers require consistently moist soil for optimal growth. The soil should be kept damp but not waterlogged to prevent root rot and other issues. A general rule of thumb is to water deeply once or twice a week, though this can vary based on weather conditions and soil type.
Do pepper plants come back year after year?
In their native habitat, pepper plants are actually perennial, which means they can live for years and years. You might think of peppers as annuals if you’re growing anywhere other than a tropical or subtropical climate. That’s because peppers can’t handle freezing temperatures.
Why do bell pepper plants grow so slowly?
Not Enough Sunlight
Pepper plants need plenty of sunlight to grow. It’s that simple. Most pepper strains originated from areas with warmer climates, meaning they thrive off of lots of sunshine in order to fully develop. In fact, hot pepper plants generally require a minimum of 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily.