🥕 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 Type
Rich, well-drained sandy loam with plenty of compost; high organic matter
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–6.8 (slightly acidic to neutral)
💧 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
📅 Days to Maturity
60-90 days (from transplant); 120-150 days from seed
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Fruit (whole pepper)"]
🤝 Companions (7)
Repels aphids, spider mites, mosquitoes, and whiteflies; some say it improves pepper flavor
Repels nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies; bright flowers attract pollinators and beneficial wasps
Strong aromatic oils repel aphids and spider mites; low-growing ground cover shades soil and suppresses weeds
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
Similar growing conditions (warm, sunny, well-drained); but rotate carefully as both are Solanaceae sharing some diseases
Trap crop for aphids; repels whiteflies and squash bugs; edible flowers attract pollinators
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
Allelopathic — strongly inhibits growth of peppers and most garden plants
⚠️ 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
💊 Medicinal Uses
["Extremely high in vitamin C (2\u20133x 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"]
📝 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.