When to plant chili peppers in California
California’s average last spring frost is February 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 1 — about 284 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b). Chili Pepper needs 70–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within California's growing season.
California 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 California: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 27 – Mar 16, with seeds started indoors Dec 19 – Jan 2. 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 California, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Dec 19 – Jan 2). 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 (Feb 27 – Mar 16). 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 May 15 – Jun 14). 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 California’s average frost dates. More in the full chili pepper growing guide.
Chili Pepper planting dates by USDA zone in California
California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. 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 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 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | 330 days | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | Feb 6 – Feb 23 |
Questions gardeners in California ask
When is the best time to plant chili peppers in California?
Plant chili pepper transplants outdoors in California between February 27 and March 16. That timing is set by California's average last spring frost of February 20; California spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start chili pepper seeds indoors in California?
Start seeds indoors between December 19 and January 2, about 8 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 27.
What is the latest I can plant chili peppers in California?
About September 22. Chili peppers need at least 70 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around December 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will chili peppers planted in California be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, chili peppers are usually ready from about May 15 to June 14, 70-100 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in California?
On average around February 20, with the first fall frost around December 1 - about 284 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.