Vegetable · Solanaceae family
pepper
Capsicum annuum
In short a 10-second read
Pepper (vegetable) grows to 0.3–1.1 m tall and 0.15–0.3 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in average soil. Sow in February–April. Harvest in July–September.
× spread 0.15–0.3 m
Where to plant
Sun and soil.
It grows best in full sun, in average soil.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
average · watering: a lot
Soil: loamy, humus-rich, sandy, clay
Soil pH 6–7.5
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
pinch out the tips (as needed)
Sowing
sow indoors: February–April
Harvest
July–September
Winter protection
cover with horticultural fleece, bring indoors for winter
Overwintering
In winter it belongs indoors.
Before the first frosts: cover with horticultural fleece, bring indoors for winter.
- Cover with horticultural fleece
- Bring indoors for winter
What to combine it with
Ready-made combinations.
Ready-made Studio combinations that include pepper
Lettuce, chard, pepper and kohlrabi — a simple vegetable bed for the…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When do I sow pepper?
In February–April (sow indoors).
When is pepper harvested?
In July–September.
Does pepper tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does pepper need?
At maturity 0.15–0.3 m wide and 0.3–1.1 m tall; recommended spacing 40 cm.
Does pepper survive winter outdoors?
Not outdoors — bring it indoors for winter.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 2 September 2026.
Show sources (4)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- RHS — How to grow peppers
- Wikidata (CC0) — Capsicum annuum
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU
