How to Grow Capsicums - Kings Seeds NZ

Capsicums love warmth, shelter and steady care, and New Zealand gardens can absolutely deliver that. This guide walks you through growing capsicums from seed through to harvest with the best way to grow capsicum in pots or beds, along with how capsicums grow in our changeable climate and what to do when weather or pests try to steal the show. You will learn sowing timing for your region, how to harden off seedlings, the soil and feeding habits that support heavy fruiting and simple tricks for sweeter colour change. If you are looking to Buy Seeds NZ from Trusted Seeds NZ and proven seed suppliers, Kings Seeds is a New Zealand-owned family business with over 40 years of experience supplying quality seed and advice to gardeners and growers nationwide.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Grow Capsicum

Capsicums are a summer garden NZ classic, yet they are frost tender and slow to start, so timing and warmth matter. In many parts of the country, planting out happens once nights stay mild and frost risk is gone. Best sown late winter indoors to early spring in New Zealand, or outdoors October-November, once frosts have passed.

1) Choose the right spot for growing capsicums

Pick a sunny area with shelter from strong winds. A north-facing wall, a greenhouse or a protected deck can make a big difference, especially in cooler regions.

2) Start capsicums with a seed-raising mix and warmth

For growing capsicum from seed, sow into trays or small pots using a quality seed-raising mix. Sowing about 6mm deep, keeping the mix moist, not wet and expecting germination around 1 to 2 weeks.
Warmth speeds success, so a sunny windowsill, a heat pad, or a greenhouse bench is your best choice.

3) Pot up capsicums before the garden move

When seedlings have a few true leaves, transfer them to individual pots so their roots can strengthen. Keep light bright, rotate pots for even growth and avoid soggy waterlogged soil. Top tip, wool pots help with stopping transplant shock when it comes time to go into their forever home.

4) Harden off capsicums like a pro

About 7 to 10 days before planting out, gradually introduce seedlings to outdoor conditions. Start with short stints in shade, then longer periods with more sun and breeze. Learn more here. 

5) Capsicum spacing and planting out

Space plants so air can move around foliage. Aim for rich, free-draining soil with compost worked through. A raised bed helps in heavy soils. 

6) Watering needs for capsicum

Give a deep soak, then allow the surface to dry slightly before the next watering. In summer heat, morning watering is often recommended to reduce evaporation losses. Kings Seeds advises watering early morning or later afternoon to minimise evaporation in summer. Watch our waterwise gardening info here. 

7) Mulch capsicums to hold moisture

Mulch helps soil stay cooler and reduces watering pressure during hot spells. Mulching in summer helps conserve moisture and protect plants from heat. 

Care and Maintenance For Growing Capsicum

Once plants settle in, the goal is simple: steady growth, steady flowering and steady fruit set.

Sun and shelter for capsicums
Full sun is the headline act. On breezy sites, use stakes or a low windbreak. Leaves that flap all day burn energy that could have gone into fruit.

Feeding capsicums without fuss
Capsicums respond well to regular feeding once flowering begins. A balanced vegetable fertiliser works well. If growth is leafy with few flowers, ease back on nitrogen-rich feeds and focus on potash support. In pots, moisture levels fluctuate more quickly, so check daily during warm weather. In beds, water deeply less often to encourage deeper roots.

Pollination help for capsicums
On still days in a greenhouse, flowers may need a gentle shake of the plant or a soft tap on the stakes to move pollen around. Outdoors, pollinators usually handle the job naturally.

Do capsicums need to climb
They do not climb, but they do appreciate support. As fruit loads up, branches can bend. A stake or small tomato-style frame prevents snapped stems and keeps fruit off wet soil.

Pruning and pinching capsicums
If you have heard capsicums need side shoots removed, you can relax. You do not need to pinch laterals, such as tomatoes. Tip pinching can delay fruiting, so keep it simple and let the plant branch naturally.

Capsicum Pests and problems
Summer brings visitors.

• Aphids and whitefly: Look under leaves, wash off with water, use insecticidal soap if needed.

• Blossom drop: Heat stress and inconsistent watering are common culprits, so shade cloth in extreme heat and a steadier watering pattern can help.

• Small fruit in cool regions: Shorter seasons in zones 3 & 4 can mean fruit stays smaller if cold arrives early. Starting plants indoors earlier over winter can help lengthen your season and increase the chance of mature fruit.

Crop rotation for capsicums
Capsicums sit in the same family as tomatoes, chillies, potatoes and eggplant. Avoid planting in the same spot year after year to reduce disease carryover. Plant where leafy greens or brassicas have grown previously, or plant legumes in beds where capsicums have been growing previously. Lean more about crop rotation here. 

Harvesting Your Capsicums

Harvesting is where patience turns into colour.

When to pick capsicums
Many varieties begin green then shift to red, yellow, purple or orange as sugars develop. Which lets you pick earlier for a fresher green bite or later for sweeter, colourful flavour.

How long does capsicum take to grow
Timing varies by variety and zone. Capsicums typically take about 60 to 90 days to mature after transplanting in New Zealand gardens, with warmer zones 1 & 2 growing faster. If you start from seed, add the seedling phase on top.

Picking technique for capsicums
Use scissors or garden snips and leave a short stem attached. Tugging can tear branches, especially late season when plants carry heavy fruit.

Keep picking capsicums for more fruit
Frequent harvesting encourages more flowering. If autumn nights are cool, pick remaining fruit before the first real cold snap and let them colour indoors on a sunny windowsill.

Extra Tips for Growing Capsicums

These are the small things that often make the biggest difference for growing capsicums in New Zealand.

Warm soil wins for capsicums
If your area runs cool, consider black plastic, cloches, heavy mulch or a greenhouse to lift soil temperature early. Pre-warming the soil can be the difference between having a harvest or not in cooler areas. 

Pots are powerful 
Do capsicums grow well in pots? Yes, especially if you can move them to chase the sun and avoid cold nights. Use a container with good depth and drainage. A minimum depth of around 25cm for container growing.

Companion planting and spacing
Good airflow reduces fungal issues. Give each capsicum enough room so that its leaves dry quickly after watering. Herbs like basil and chives make great companions for capsicums. Flowers such as marigold, calendula, and alyssum, and vegetables that don’t mind being planted near capiscum are carrots and lettuce.

What not to grow next to capsicum
Avoid crowding close nightshade relatives in tight spaces, as pests and diseases can spread more easily. So avoid tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants. Other notable mentions: fennel, corn, dill, and celery are best planted away from capsicums.

Mulch plus morning watering
Summer dryness is the classic New Zealand challenge. We recommend watering early morning or late afternoon in summer, and encourage mulching to retain moisture and protect against heat.

Saving capsicum seed
You can save seed from fruit, but hybrids may not come true. Supermarket produce is often hybrid and saved seed can revert to parent traits, so buying seed is more reliable for consistent results.

If you want dependable harvests and you are searching for Best Seeds NZ or Seeds NZ for your summer patch, start with trusted lines from Kings Seeds, a long-standing New Zealand family business and one of the best-known seed suppliers NZ.

FAQ: Growing Capsicums and Summer Gardening in NZ

What is the secret to growing capsicum?

Warmth, shelter and steady moisture. Start seeds with heat, plant out after frost risk passes and mulch well so roots stay cool and hydrated through dry spells. 

How long does capsicum take to grow?

After transplanting, capsicums take around 60 to 90 days to reach maturity, with warmer regions often quicker. Adds extra weeks for germination and seedling growth when starting from seed.

Do capsicums need to climb?

No climbing required. Support helps once fruit weights build, so use a stake or small frame to prevent bending and snapping.

What not to grow next to capsicum?

Avoid tight planting of nightshade relatives like tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant in the same small bed year after year. Rotation reduces shared pest and disease pressure.

Do capsicums grow well in pots?

Yes. Choose a deep container with good drainage, use a rich potting mix, and place it in full sun with shelter. Container growing is ideal for moving plants away from cold nights.

Capsicums  are a slow dance that ends in a colourful chorus, so start with warmth, keep care consistent and let summer do the shining. When you are ready to grow over the warmer months, explore capsicum and pepper seed options with Kings Seeds, Trusted Seeds NZ for gardeners who want reliable results, great advice, and an easy way to Buy Seeds NZ delivered to your door.