Bell pepper Capsicum annuum
Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) is an annual vegetable in the Solanaceae family. It grows 50–90 cm (20–35 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart.
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Bell pepper at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Mature height | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 45 cm (18 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 6–9 weeks after planting, for 7–13 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇨🇱 Chile |
Is Bell pepper toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Sweet pepper fruit is edible; foliage is a nightshade and not for eating.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bell pepper
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- avoid With Black walnut: Black walnut releases juglone from roots, leaves and hulls, which is documented to injure or kill this sensitive species. Evidence B
- caution With Florence fennel: Fennel releases growth-inhibiting compounds from roots and foliage; lab and garden reports show poorer growth of tomato, pepper and other nearby crops, so keep it in its own corner. Evidence C
- caution With Smoke tree: Smoke tree is very susceptible to Verticillium wilt, which persists in soil after tomato, potato or aubergine crops; avoid planting it where those crops have wilted. Evidence C
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress tomatoes, peppers and many other vegetables nearby; grow it in its own corner. Evidence C
- caution With Nightshades: Nightshades share late blight, early blight, Verticillium wilt and Colorado potato beetle; mix with other families and rotate the bed. Evidence B
- avoid With Potato: Potatoes are the main source of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) that spreads to tomatoes and other nightshades within a few metres. Evidence B
- caution With Sunflower: Sunflower residues and roots release phenolic compounds that can slow nearby seedlings; transplants are less affected. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Late blight: Late blight spreads by wind-borne spores between potatoes, tomatoes and their relatives. Evidence B
Questions about Bell pepper
- How far apart should I plant Bell pepper?
- About 45 cm (18 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Bell pepper need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bell pepper need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Bell pepper?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Bell pepper flower?
- About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 7–13 weeks.
- Is Bell pepper poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Sweet pepper fruit is edible; foliage is a nightshade and not for eating.
- What grows well with Bell pepper?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bell pepper. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
- Cherry tomato Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
- Potato Solanum tuberosum
- Eggplant (aubergine) Solanum melongena
- Chili pepper Capsicum annuum (hot types)
- Petunia Petunia x hybrida
- Tomatillo Physalis philadelphica
- Ground cherry (husk cherry) Physalis pruinosa