Colourful capsicums at different stages of ripening on a plant

How to Grow Capsicum in Australia

Ripening tips, variety picks, and planting calendars for every region

Capsicums are a rewarding warm-season crop that produce colourful, crunchy fruit from a surprisingly compact plant. They need a long, warm growing season and a bit of patience, but the payoff is far better flavour than shop-bought fruit. Home-grown capsicums left to ripen fully on the plant are genuinely sweet.

This guide covers the best varieties for Australian gardens, how to get fruit to ripen properly, and how to avoid common problems like blossom end rot.

Your region

When to Plant in Your Region

Four capsicum types: green bell, red bell, yellow banana, and purple mini

California Wonder

The classic green-to-red bell pepper. Thick-walled, blocky fruit with sweet flavour when fully ripe. Reliable producer in all warm Australian regions. The most widely grown capsicum variety.

Mini Sweet

Small, snack-sized capsicums in red, orange, and yellow. Prolific producer on compact plants. Ripen faster than full-sized varieties. Perfect for kids' lunchboxes and container growing.

Bullhorn

Long, tapered fruit with thick, sweet flesh. Ripens from green to red. Italian variety excellent for roasting, stuffing, and eating fresh. Very productive in warm conditions.

Sweet Banana

Pale yellow, elongated fruit that ripens to red. Mild, sweet flavour. Prolific and early to mature. Good choice for cooler regions because it ripens faster than bell types.

Chocolate Beauty

Deep brown-coloured capsicum with rich, sweet flavour. Unusual colour adds variety to salads and cooking. Ripens reliably in warm conditions. A conversation starter in the garden.

Ripening Tips

All capsicums start green and change colour as they ripen. A green capsicum is simply an unripe one. Leaving fruit on the plant to fully colour up (red, yellow, orange, or brown) develops much more sweetness and flavour, plus higher vitamin C levels.

Full ripening takes 3 to 4 weeks after the fruit reaches full size
Pick the first few fruit green to encourage the plant to produce more
In cooler regions, choose early-maturing varieties (Sweet Banana, Mini Sweet) that ripen before autumn
Remove late-season flowers that won't have time to mature. This redirects energy into ripening existing fruit.

Blossom End Rot

Dark, sunken patches on the bottom of capsicum fruit. This is caused by calcium deficiency in the developing fruit, almost always triggered by inconsistent watering rather than a lack of calcium in the soil.

Water deeply and evenly. Do not let plants dry out then flood them
Mulch heavily to keep soil moisture consistent
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers which promote leaf growth at the expense of fruit
Remove affected fruit so the plant can focus energy on healthy ones

Tip: Capsicums are more prone to blossom end rot than tomatoes. Consistent watering is the single most important factor in prevention.

Planting Method

Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting. Capsicums need a long season and germinate slowly in cool soil. Start in seed trays on a heat mat or warm windowsill.
Transplant after all frost risk has passed. Wait until overnight temperatures are reliably above 15 degrees. Cold nights stunt growth and delay fruiting.
Space plants 40 to 50 cm apart. Capsicums grow into compact bushes about 60 cm tall. They need room for air circulation but not as much as tomatoes.
Stake plants. Heavy fruit can snap branches. A single stake per plant or a tomato cage provides enough support.
Feed fortnightly once flowering begins. Use a potassium-rich fertiliser (like tomato food) to promote fruiting. Avoid too much nitrogen.

Common Problems

Flower drop

Flowers falling off without setting fruit. Caused by temperatures below 15 degrees at night or above 35 degrees during the day. Also caused by over-fertilising with nitrogen. Be patient during temperature extremes.

Sunscald

White or pale patches on fruit exposed to intense direct sun. The fruit is still edible. Maintain good leaf cover over fruit by not over-pruning plants.

Aphids

Cluster on new growth and under leaves. Spray with soapy water or neem oil. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings as natural predators.

Track Your Capsicum Growing

Add capsicums to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for sowing, feeding, and harvest time.

Open the App →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant capsicum in Australia?

Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Transplant outdoors once overnight temperatures are reliably above 15 degrees. In most regions, transplant from October to December. Tropical regions can plant from March to August.

How long do capsicums take to grow?

Capsicums take 10 to 14 weeks from transplanting to first harvest of green fruit. Add another 3 to 4 weeks for fruit to fully ripen to colour. Start seeds early to make the most of the warm season.

Why are my capsicums not turning red?

Capsicums need warmth and time to ripen fully. Green fruit takes 3 to 4 weeks of warm weather to turn red. In cooler regions, choose early-maturing varieties and remove late-season flowers to focus energy on ripening existing fruit.

What causes blossom end rot on capsicums?

Inconsistent watering is the main cause. The dark, sunken patches on the bottom of fruit happen when the plant cannot move enough calcium to developing fruit. Water deeply and evenly, mulch well, and avoid over-fertilising with nitrogen.