We currently have 39 Bell Pepper sprouts with more to come.
Below is a tricodileadian pepper sprout, rare, though not unheard of. This is my first in more than 50 years of growing plants.
From Kitchen to Garden: Growing Bell Peppers from Store-Bought peppers!
Ever chopped open a beautiful bell pepper and noticed all those tiny seeds staring back at you?
Instead of tossing them, imagine turning them into a thriving plant, bursting with fresh, vibrant peppers right in your own backyard (or balcony!).
It might sound too good to be true, but with a little patience and a few simple steps, you absolutely can grow delicious bell peppers from the seeds of your favorite grocery store varieties.
It’s a fantastic way to save money, reduce waste, and connect with your food source.
Why Grow from Store-Bought?
Cost-Effective: You’re literally using something you’d usually discard. Free seeds!
Taste Test Approved: You already know you love the flavor of the pepper you’re planting.
Beginner-Friendly: Bell peppers are relatively easy to grow, making them perfect for new gardeners.
What You’ll Need:
A fresh bell pepper (any color!)
Small pots or seed-starting trays
Good quality potting mix
A sunny windowsill or grow lights
Watering can or spray bottle.
Step 1: Harvesting and Preparing Your Seeds
Select Your Pepper: Choose a healthy, ripe bell pepper. Organic is often recommended as non-organic peppers might be hybrids with sterile seeds, or treated with chemicals that inhibit germination. However, many people have success with conventional peppers too, so don’t let it stop you!
Extract the Seeds: Carefully cut open your pepper and gently scrape out the seeds. Try to get as much of the fleshy pith off as possible.
Rinse and Dry: Rinse the seeds under cool water to remove any remaining pepper flesh. ( This is recommended, though I never do it. ) This helps prevent mold. Spread them out on a paper towel or plate in a single layer and let them dry completely for several days. They should be brittle, not sticky.
Step 2: Planting Your Seeds
Prepare Your Pots: Fill your small pots or seed trays with moist potting mix. Leave about half an inch of space from the rim.
Sow the Seeds: Plant 2-3 seeds per pot, about 1/4 inch deep. Bell peppers have a decent germination rate, but planting a few increases your chances. Lightly cover with potting mix.
Water Gently: Mist the soil surface with water to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Don’t drench it; just keep it consistently moist.
Step 3: Germination and Care
Warmth and Light: Bell pepper seeds love warmth. Place your pots in a warm spot, ideally around 70-80°F (21-27°C). A sunny windowsill is good, but if you have a heat mat, even better!
Be Patient: Germination can take anywhere from 7 to 21 days. Don’t lose hope! Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Thinning: Once your seedlings emerge and have a couple sets of “true leaves” (the second set of leaves that look like tiny pepper leaves), thin them to the strongest seedling per pot. Snip the weaker ones at the soil line to avoid disturbing the roots of the strong one.
Step 4: Growing On
Once your seedlings are about 4-6 inches tall and the danger of frost has passed (if planting outdoors), they’ll be ready for their next adventure!
Transplanting: Move them to larger pots (5-gallon containers work well for one plant) or directly into your garden bed, ensuring they have plenty of space (about 18-24 inches apart).
Sunlight: Peppers need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruiting.
Support: As they grow taller and start producing fruit, bell pepper plants can become top-heavy. Provide stakes or cages for support.
The Rewards of Your Labor
There’s nothing quite like picking a juicy, crisp bell pepper that you grew yourself. It’s a testament to patience, nature, and the simple joy of nurturing life.
Even if your first attempt isn’t perfect, every gardener has trials and errors. The important thing is to have fun with it!
Happy planting!
Slocum's Creak 