Pepper Plant
Capsicum annuum
An herbaceous, upright shrub featuring ovate, medium-green leaves and small, star-shaped white flowers born singly or in small clusters along branching stems.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal vigor and bloom development.
- Water
- Moderate to consistent watering. Allow the top soil layer to dry slightly between waterings, maintaining uniform moisture without waterlogging the roots.
- Growth
- Upright, bushy herbaceous perennial or annual growing 1 to 3 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
Care instructions
Provide abundant sunlight and warm temperatures. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, ensuring proper drainage. Use rich, organic-matter-rich soil and feed with a balanced plant food during early growth, switching to a phosphorus-rich formula during blossom set.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal vigor and bloom development.
Watering
Moderate to consistent watering. Allow the top soil layer to dry slightly between waterings, maintaining uniform moisture without waterlogging the roots.
Soil
Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter with a preferred pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Hardiness zone
USDA Zones 9-11 as a perennial; commonly grown as a tender annual in colder zones.
Growth habit
Upright, bushy herbaceous perennial or annual growing 1 to 3 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
Bloom season
Late spring through summer, producing small, 5-petaled white or pale green flowers.
Propagation
Propagated primarily by seed sown indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, blossom end rot, and fungal leaf spot or powdery mildew under high humidity or improper air circulation.
Similar species
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), which share similar foliage structure but differ in flower shape and stem texture.