Habit (mature) - PierreSelim / Wikimedia Commons - CC BY 3.0
Limited coverage
Garden pepper
Capsicum annuum
A warm-season vegetable producing sweet bell, hot cayenne, jalapeño, paprika, and ornamental cultivars all from a single species — capsaicin content varies dramatically across cultivars while the plant itself remains uniform in habit (compact mounded warm-season annual). NC State documents capsaicin-immune birds as opportunistic fruit consumers; self-pollinating with optional cross-pollination from bees increases fruit set.
Native: 15 US states
Edible
Container
Light
Full sun
Water
Moderate water
Mature size
12-44" tall · 18" apart
Hardy in zones
Annual; NC State profile lists 4a-11b context
AHS heat range
6-12
Plant range authored in AHS heat-zone terms.
Native in Illinois
No
Related products
Sponsored
Winter protection and storage
Frost cloth, plant covers, bulb/tuber storage supplies, burlap, and cold frames.
Search winter protection and storage on Amazon ->
Container growing
Grow bags, planters, potting mix, saucers, casters, and container irrigation.
Search container growing on Amazon ->
Seed starting
Trays, cells, humidity domes, heat mats, grow lights, and seed-starting mix.
Search seed starting on Amazon ->
Wildlife protection
Bird netting, deer fencing, rabbit guards, trunk guards, and crop covers.
Search wildlife protection on Amazon ->
Plant support
Stakes, cages, trellises, ties, clips, arbors, and heavy-duty supports.
Search plant support on Amazon ->
Drainage and aeration
Perlite, pumice, raised-bed mix, aerators, and drainage-focused containers.
Search drainage and aeration on Amazon ->
Plotwright may earn a commission from purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Native across 15 US states and Canadian provinces — a wide-ranging part of North America's plant communities.
Cold hardiness
Future
This plant is grown as an annual; hardiness zones don't apply.
Heat tolerance
Future
Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.
Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...
Sources & citations
Cite this page
For lesson plans, articles, or research that uses this page. To cite a single upstream fact instead, use its specific source listed below.
Plotwright. (2026, May 17). Garden pepper (Capsicum annuum). Retrieved 2026, June 14, from https://plotwright.garden/plants/capsicum-annuum
Sources for every fact
Every fact on this page traces to a source. 18 fields cited - 18 source-backed.
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
University extension service
Backs 17 fields
Identity
Summary
Plant type
Light
Moisture
Hardiness
Heat zone
Size
Spacing
Habit
Design roles
Seasonal interest
Growth stages
Lifecycle
Regional guidance
Success tips
Designer notes