Pepper Seed Germination Time (2024)

FAQs

Pepper Seed Germination Time? ›

Pepper seeds can vary greatly in how fast they germinate. While most pepper seeds germinate within 7-21 days, most of the super hot peppers and some other peppers like the delicious Piquillo pepper can sometimes take much longer, taking 3-6 weeks to sprout! The trick is to be patient, and keep the warm and moist.

Many sweet pepper varieties will show their initial leaves about two weeks after planting the seeds. But some varieties of peppers take longer to pop up than others. "The hot pepper varieties take longer to germinate, some to three weeks," says Flower.

The usual suspect is that the seed is too cold. Remember that peppers come from a tropical environment and need a warm area to germinate in. Plus, many hot peppers need more heat than sweet peppers and have an ideal temperature range of 85-90°F.

Soak or pre-sprout seeds

While not necessary, you can soak pepper seeds prior to planting them to encourage faster germination. Place pepper seeds in a bowl or jar of room temperature water for up to 24 hours to soften the seed coat and break dormancy.

Different peppers have different timelines for growing, and these timelines are affected by a few different environmental factors such as soil quality, moisture levels, and temperature. For example, if your soil is dryer than normal or has poor drainage, then your pepper plants may take longer to sprout.

What we have to say is – it's never too late to start seeds! In the spring, you can grow faster growing peppers if you want to get a harvest in a shorter time. For example, many of the fastest growing peppers are ready in 57-65 days from planting!

Maintain soil temperature at least 75-85 degrees F for good germination. Peppers won't germinate in cold potting soil–heat makes a big difference in seeds germinating in 5 days, or seeds taking up to 20 days!

Pre-Soak Your Seeds Before Planting

That is why many seeds take a long time to germinate. You can "trick" the seed into opening faster by pre-soaking them in water. The goal is to penetrate the outer surface of the shell so that the plant gets the signal that it's ready to grow.

Pepper Seedling Watering, Fertilizing & Disease Prevention

Use a well-drained growing medium in the cells, and take care not to overwater the seedlings; wait until the soil is dry before watering again. Water once or twice a week with a fertilizer solution diluted to 100 ppm.

Germinating pepper seeds takes patience. Unlike fast-germinating plants like basil or broccoli, pepper seeds can take 2-3 weeks to germinate under ideal conditions. Older seeds may take even longer.

Does soaking pepper seeds help germination? ›

The second soaking technique, and the last of the three tests, involves soaking pepper seeds in chamomile tea. This is a common solution used by many growers to help increase germination.

Provide light as soon as they germinate! If pepper seedlings do not get enough light, they will get “leggy” because they are reaching for a light source. To keep them thick and compact, it is best to use a grow light, which is hung up a few inches above the tray and keep it on for 14-16 hours per day.

Plant three of the same hot pepper seeds in a 1/4 inch hole and loosely cover with soil. Do not pat the soil down because you want the seedlings to break through the soil's surface easily.

As mentioned previously, direct sowing pepper seeds should only be done by gardeners living in warm climate regions with a long growing season due to the length of time required for peppers to grow from seed to producing mature fruit. Make sure the soil is moist, but not wet, until seed germination/sprouting.

The second soaking technique, and the last of the three tests, involves soaking pepper seeds in chamomile tea. This is a common solution used by many growers to help increase germination.

Pepper seeds typically take around 7-10 days to sprout, and before sprouting they do not require light. The ideal temperature is between 80-90°F. This will ensure that the seeds germinate as quickly as possible. Mist as necessary, or provide water to the bottom of the trays to keep the soil moist (but not soaking wet).

Lack of Water/Too Much Water

Make sure your newly transplanted peppers are getting enough water. Once your pepper plants have been transplanted into the garden, monitor the water carefully while they are young. Forgetting to water newly transplanted peppers is a common reason they will not grow well.