0How it thrives
Watermedium
Lightfull sun
Humiditymedium
Min. temperature10 °CJanuary
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 10–17 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
February
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 10–17 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
March
Gentle start: the first small drink once you see buds or new growth and it warms up.
First weak dose at the end of the month if it is actively growing.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it somewhere brighter and warmer and end wintering. Get it used to strong sun gradually.
If roots fill the pot: fresh soil, a pot 1–2 cm larger. Water sparingly for a week afterwards.
April
When the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
The sunniest window (south or west).
If roots fill the pot: fresh soil, a pot 1–2 cm larger. Water sparingly for a week afterwards.
May
When the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
After mid-May (last frosts) it can go outside – keep it in partial shade for the first 1–2 weeks to avoid sunburn.
It flowers next month – once you see buds, don’t move it any more.
June
When the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
July
When the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
August
When the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry – more often in heatwaves, preferably in the evening.
Liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
Above 35 °C, shade it at midday to prevent sunburn.
September
When the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry.
No feeding now.
Best outdoors: sunny balcony, terrace or garden – acclimatise it to full sun gradually.
Bring it in when nights drop below 15 °C. Check for pests first.
It usually flowers now – don’t turn or move it, and log the bloom in your diary!
October
Taper off gradually: very little by the end of the month.
No feeding now.
The sunniest window (south or west).
Move it to its cool, bright winter spot and taper off watering. Log it with one click in the Care hub.
November · now
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 10–17 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
December
Don’t water – dry winter rest. Slight shrivelling is normal.
No feeding now.
Cool and bright, 10–17 °C: unheated room, stairwell, cold windowsill or frost-free greenhouse.
Chillies can be overwintered: cut back in autumn and keep bright at 12–15 °C.
Birds don’t feel capsaicin – peppers are a treat for them.
Sweet pepper – what to know
Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) belongs to the Solanaceae family (genus Capsicum) and is listed in our catalog under “Herb”. Its needs – light: full sun; water: medium; humidity: medium. Keep it above 10 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter. Rest period: dry winter rest. Typical flowering time: June, July, August, September. Easy enough for beginners. For cats: mildly toxic; for dogs: mildly toxic. Keep it out of reach and call a vet straight away if you suspect poisoning. Nobody on Perfect Plants Club has added it to their collection yet – be the first!
All Capsicum species in the catalog →Detailed toxicity data →
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Sweet pepper?
Moderately: water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry, and never let it sit in standing water.
How much light does Sweet pepper need?
It needs plenty of direct sun – the sunniest window, or outdoors in summer, suits it best.
How cold can Sweet pepper get?
Keep it above 10 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter.
Is Sweet pepper toxic to cats and dogs?
For cats: mildly toxic; for dogs: mildly toxic. Keep it out of reach and call a vet straight away if you suspect poisoning.
When does Sweet pepper flower?
Typical flowering time: June, July, August, September.
What members’ data shows
When does it really bloom?
No blooms logged yet. If yours flowers, your data will be the first!
Average watering interval
Not enough watering logs yet. Waterings logged in the care hub feed this chart.
Tips and questions about this species
Capsicum
Care data is for guidance only.
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