Using pepper seeds for planting gives you the freedom to grow any kind of chile variety you want. However, starting seeds presents it’s own set of growing challenges.
For instance, you need to know when to sow pepper seeds, how to prepare seeds and how to get them to germinate (sprout).
And, then, there’s understanding what to do if your seeds don’t germinate at all. This is all before they even get planted.
But, don’t worry! It’s all covered in the articles below.
Plus, you may also want to know how to save pepper seeds too. In other words, what if you grow (or buy) some great chillies and you want to save those seeds to grow again? You’ll find help with that as well.
All of these pepper seed-starting posts are listed by the order you’ll likely need them. And, to date, our most popular seed topic is this germinating pepper seeds article.
NOTE: This post is a subset of the Growing Peppers page. Be sure to refer back to that page (also in the menu bar) for the full list of pepper-growing topics. These posts range from growing popular chile pepper varieties, such as Jalapenos and Ghost Peppers, to caring for your pepper plants in pots.
Pepper Seed Topics
This category covers all of the steps for starting seeds indoors. Topics include when to plant pepper seeds, how to get seeds to germinate and how to harvest your peppers for seeds to plant again.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Heirloom Peppers vs Open Pollinated vs Hybrid Seeds: What’s The Difference?
Seed types determine what to expect when you grow out your seeds and whether you can save seeds from these plants. Here's how to understand the differences between seeds so you're better informed when buying.
The Ultimate Pepper Seeds Vendor List
Heirloom, novelty or the latest super hot pepper seeds can be very hard to find. Here’s a list of pepper seed vendors (both in and out of the US) who have an extensive collection of seeds.
How To Buy Hot Pepper Seeds Without Getting Ripped Off
Unethical "sellers" trick people by making them think they're buying a particular chile variety when it's really something else. This usually happens when the latest "hottest pepper in the world" comes out. Here's how to buy your seeds without getting swindled.
How to Know When to Plant Pepper Seeds (and Why It's Important)
Planting at the right time makes a huge difference in whether you can grow lots of chillies or not. Here's how to know when to plant pepper seeds for your particular growing location.
How to Test Pepper Seed Viability So You Don't Waste Your Time
A seed viability test tells you whether your seeds can sprout and grow (under favorable conditions). And, pepper seeds can take a long time to germinate. Here's how to do this test so you save time (and aggravation).
Germinating Pepper Seeds: Tricks to Get Them to Sprout
Some pepper seeds are stubborn and need a little coaxing to sprout. Here are a couple of different methods you can use to get your seeds to germinate.
Saving Pepper Seeds: How to Harvest Your Chillies
Saving your own pepper seeds gives you the freedom to grow what you love each year. Here are three different methods for harvesting and drying pepper seeds for planting.
Jalapeno Seeds: Can You Grow Jalapenos from Store Bought Peppers?
Yes, you can plant seeds from a fresh jalapeno pepper! Here’s what to expect when growing store-bought produce. (Plus, how to have the best chances at getting this to work.)
And for those of you who want a step-by-step, detailed growing guide that explains how to go from pepper seeds to outdoor-ready plants… Make sure to check out the updated and expanded Pepper Seed Starting Guide. I personally use this resource to grow my chillies each season, and I’m always here to answer questions!
