When to plant chili peppers in Alaska
Alaska’s average last spring frost is May 17, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 13 — about 119 frost-free days (USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b). Chili Pepper needs 70–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alaska's growing season.
Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant chili peppers in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 24 – Jun 10, with seeds started indoors Mar 15 – Mar 29. Wait until the soil is at least 65°F and frost is over.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow chili peppers in Alaska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 15 – Mar 29). Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 7-21 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (May 24 – Jun 10). Space plants about 18 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, flea beetle, pepper maggot, spider mite. Diseases and disorders: bacterial leaf spot, anthracnose, phytophthora blight.
- Harvest (from about Aug 9 – Sep 8). Chili Pepper takes 70-100 days to reach harvest. Superhots (C. chinense) can need 100+ days and the longest indoor start. Withholding some water late raises heat.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full chili pepper growing guide.
Chili Pepper planting dates by USDA zone in Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the chili pepper dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant chili pepper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jun 22 – Jul 9 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 8 – Jun 25 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 22 – Jun 8 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 17 – Jun 3 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 7 – May 24 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
When to plant chili peppers in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | May 24 – Jun 10 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant chili peppers in Alaska?
Plant chili pepper transplants outdoors in Alaska between May 24 and June 10. That timing is set by Alaska's average last spring frost of May 17; Alaska spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start chili pepper seeds indoors in Alaska?
Start seeds indoors between March 15 and March 29, about 8 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 24.
What is the latest I can plant chili peppers in Alaska?
About July 5. Chili peppers need at least 70 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around September 13 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will chili peppers planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, chili peppers are usually ready from about August 9 to September 8, 70-100 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Alaska?
On average around May 17, with the first fall frost around September 13 - about 119 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.