Bell Pepper
Capsicum annuum
📖 About this plant
A warm-season vegetable producing bell-shaped fruits in green, red, yellow, orange, purple, and white varieties. Sweet bell peppers are rich in vitamins A, C, and B6, plus antioxidants. They are actually fruits botanically, ripening from green through yellow/orange to red with increasing sweetness and vitamin C content.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun (6-8 hrs)
Every 1-2 days
Moderate (50-65%)
21-30°C
Well-draining, fertile sandy loam rich in organic matter; pH 5.5-6.5
Balanced NPK fertilizer (5-10-10) at planting; side-dress with calcium-rich fertilizer when fruits begin to set; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes foliage over fruit
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Central and South America, Mexico
- 📏 Max height
- 45-120 cm depending on variety
- 📐 Spread
- 30-60 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Annual
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic edible fruits; leaves and stems contain solanine — toxic if ingested. Capsaicin in hot peppers irritates skin and eyes
- 🌱 Propagation
- Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost; transplant seedlings when nighttime temps stay above 13°C; space 45-60 cm apart
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic edible fruits; leaves and stems contain solanine — toxic if ingested. Capsaicin in hot peppers irritates skin and eyes
Common issues
- Blossom end rot from calcium deficiency, Aphid and pepper weevil infestations, Sunscald on exposed fruit
💡 Care tips
- Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before last frost,Support with small stakes as fruits develop,Harvest green or wait for red for sweeter flavor,Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks during fruiting
