California Wonder
A classic blocky bell pepper with thick, crisp flesh and a sweet flavour. It's a reliable cropper in UK greenhouses and also does well in a sunny, sheltered spot outdoors.
Sweet Peppers in Perth
Capsicum annuum
Sweet peppers are tender annuals that produce crisp, colourful fruits with a mild flavour. Native to Central and South America, they thrive in warm, sunny positions and are commonly grown under glass in the UK to ensure reliable cropping, though they can succeed outdoors in sheltered spots during particularly warm summers.
75 cm · Full Shade · Moderate Water
Calibrated to Perth · last frost ≈ 9 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Growing guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Sweet Pepper
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Step by step guide to growing sweet peppers outdoors in a warm, sheltered spot.
01
Sow Seeds Indoors
8 Feb to 28 FebFill seed trays with peat-free seed compost and sow your seeds about deep. Cover lightly with compost and water gently from below. Place on a warm windowsill or in a propagator at .
02
Prick Out Seedlings
20 Feb to 5 MarWhen the first true leaves appear, transplant seedlings into pots with peat-free compost. Keep in a bright, warm spot and water to keep moist.
03
Pot On
13 Mar to 28 MarAs plants grow and roots fill the pots, move them to larger containers to develop strongly before planting out.
04
Harden Off
26 May to 8 JunMay in Perth is usually time to start hardening off your plants. Place them outside during the day and bring in at night, gradually increasing exposure over two weeks to acclimatise to outdoor conditions.
05
Transplant Outdoors
5 Jun to 19 JunAfter all risk of frost has passed, plant in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Space apart and stake if needed. Protect from slugs with barriers.
06
Pinch Out Growing Tips
22 Jun to 6 JulPinch out the tips when plants are high to promote bushiness and more fruits.
07
Fertilise
22 Jun to 20 SeptOnce flowers form, feed every week with high-potash fertiliser. Water consistently and mist flowers in dry weather to aid fruit set.
08
Harvest
1 Aug to 25 SeptHarvest when fruits are full-sized, picking green or allowing to colour for sweetness. Keep picking to extend the crop.
Companion plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Sweet Pepper.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Sweet Pepper to consider
Gypsy
An early-maturing sweet pepper with elongated, pointed fruits that ripen from pale green to red. It's productive in cooler summers and is well-suited to growing in pots on a patio or in a greenhouse.
King of the North
A heritage variety bred for short, cool seasons, producing blocky fruits that ripen to a deep red. It copes with variable UK weather better than many bell peppers, making it a good choice for outdoor growing.
Marconi
An Italian-style sweet pepper with long, tapering fruits that are sweet and juicy. It's vigorous and heavy-cropping, and the thin walls cook down quickly, though it's also good eaten fresh in salads.
Ariane
A modern orange bell pepper that ripens early and consistently, even in cooler conditions. The fruits are sweet and crunchy, and the plants stay compact, so they suit smaller greenhouses or large containers.
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