Here is our Pepper Seed Germination Guide with all the best tips for your pepper-growing success! It's important to know that pepper seeds can take longer than most other vegetable seeds to germinate, so it's good to start them earlier to ensure plenty of time for growing indoors before transplanting outside.
Here are our tips for fastest and germination:
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Use Fresh Pepper Seeds
The older the seeds are, the harder they are to germinate. While pepper seeds can be viable for up to 25 years, generally 2-5 years is more realistic for good germination rates. Sandia Seed only sells the freshest seeds that were harvested from the previous season, and we ensure all of our seeds have a 85% germination rate or higher to guarantee your success. Because our seeds are so fresh, this means if you don't plant all your seeds from one of our new packets from this year, you will still have success next couple years with any remaining seeds.
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Keep pepper seeds warm
They will germinate fastest when kept consistently warm and moist at 80-90˚ F. Use a heat mat to ensure they are nice and toasty.
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Patience is key!
Pepper seeds take longer than most other vegetable seeds to germinate, so we start our peppers earlier, 8-12 weeks before transplanting outside, as it often takes them about 2 weeks or more just to sprout!
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Once they Germinate, give them air circulation!
All seedlings are prone to dying of damping off disease if they have a lack of movement and air circulation. Either brush the seedlings daily with your hands, or put a fan on them to ensure healthy, less leggy plants. Do not keep seedlings covered after they germinate.
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Have a Short Growing Season?
Grow the fastest growing peppers for faster germination, and more productive plants that will produce even in shorter growing seasons. If you want to harvest peppers faster, these are the best varieties that will grow quickly and be prolific all summer. Some of these peppers like our earliest, the Chocolate Bell Pepper can also tolerate cooler temperatures better than other peppers.
Read the rest of our top 12 Tips for How to Grow Peppers from Seed »
