Peppers go outside two to three weeks after your last spring frost, once nights stay above 50 °F. Seeds are started indoors eight to ten weeks before that. Find your zone below, or enter your ZIP code for dates based on the weather station closest to you.
Pepper dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Pepper planting dates by zone
| USDA zone | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | June 6 – June 13 |
| Zone 4 | May 30 – June 6 |
| Zone 5 | May 22 – May 29 |
| Zone 6 | May 15 – May 22 |
| Zone 7 | May 1 – May 8 |
| Zone 8 | April 14 – April 21 |
| Zone 9 | March 17 – March 24 |
Not sure of your zone? Look it up by ZIP code.
Why peppers go out later than tomatoes
Peppers are even more sensitive to cold than tomatoes. Frost kills them, and cool soil and cool nights stop their growth. Seeds germinate best at 80–90 °F, and transplants do best once nighttime lows stay above 50 °F. That is why peppers are set out two to three weeks after the last spring frost.
How to plant peppers
- Start seeds indoors about eight to ten weeks before your transplant date. A heat mat helps them germinate; once up, grow them at about 70 °F.
- Harden off the seedlings over one to two weeks, starting with a couple of hours of sun in a sheltered spot.
- Transplant on a cloudy day or in the late afternoon to reduce stress.
- Space plants 18 inches apart in rows 30–36 inches apart.
- Mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down.
Harvesting peppers
Pick peppers as soon as they reach full size and their walls feel firm. Green bells left on the plant turn red, yellow or orange and get sweeter, but that takes extra weeks. Cut the stems with shears instead of pulling, so you don’t break branches, and wear gloves when handling hot peppers. Peppers keep a week or more in the refrigerator.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start pepper seeds indoors?
About eight to ten weeks before you plan to transplant. Peppers grow slowly at first, so they need more time indoors than tomatoes.
Can I plant peppers before the last frost?
No. Peppers are killed by frost and stall in cold soil. Wait until two to three weeks after your last frost, when nights stay above 50 °F.
Do I have to wait for peppers to turn red?
No. Most peppers can be picked green once they reach full size. Leaving them on the plant makes them sweeter and more colorful.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.