How to grow Capsicum in Australia
Grow capsicum in full sun in warm, fertile, free-draining soil, and wait for settled warmth before planting as cold checks them badly. Water consistently to avoid blossom end rot and feed with a potassium-rich fertiliser once fruit sets.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 8 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 45 cm
- Time to harvest: 100 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 6.8
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | August to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | Push spring sowing 1 to 2 weeks later than Brisbane in hinterland. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | July to November | Sow indoors June to July; transplant Sept to Oct after last frost and soil warms to 18°C+. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Start seed indoors July to Aug for Sept transplant, or buy seedlings. Fruits mature Feb onwards in Melbourne. Delay spring sow vs SEQ due to shorter warm season. |
| Adelaide & SA | August to October | Sow Aug to Sep indoors with warmth, Oct in trays outside. Transplant Oct to Nov once frost has passed so fruit sets before the worst heat. |
| Perth & WA | July to September | Mediterranean: sow Jul to Sept (8 to 10 weeks indoors); transplant Sept to Oct. Avoid sowing Dec to Feb. |
| Tasmania | September and October | Marginal. Sow indoors with bottom heat Sep to Oct, then plant out after the last frost in early October against a warm wall or in a greenhouse. Outdoors expect a light late crop. |
| Canberra & ACT | October and November | Start seed indoors with warmth in October, then plant out after the last frost in early November. Needs a long warm season; choose early maturing varieties. |
| North Queensland | April to August | Dry season crop. Bowen grows most of the national winter capsicum, planted Apr to Aug. Wet season planting invites fruit rot and fungal disease. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to July | Dry season. Sow Apr to May and transplant May to Jul. Aug to Feb sowing runs into the build up and monsoon and fails. |
Varieties
- Californian Wonder
- Sweet Banana
- Giant Marconi
- Cubanelle
- Mini Bell Mix
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick when fruit is firm, glossy and full sized, green or fully coloured for sweeter flavour. Cut the stalk with secateurs and the plant keeps setting more.
Storage
Fridge in the crisper, up to 1 week. Roast, peel and freeze well.