When to plant chili peppers in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Chili Pepper needs 70–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida 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 Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 19 – Mar 8, with seeds started indoors Dec 11 – Dec 25. 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 Florida, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Dec 11 – Dec 25). 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 19 – Mar 8). 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 7 – Jun 6). 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 Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full chili pepper growing guide.
Chili Pepper planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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.
When to plant chili peppers in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant chili peppers in Florida?
Plant chili pepper transplants outdoors in Florida between February 19 and March 8. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start chili pepper seeds indoors in Florida?
Start seeds indoors between December 11 and December 25, about 8 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 19.
What is the latest I can plant chili peppers in Florida?
About October 1. Chili peppers need at least 70 days to mature after transplanting, and frost around December 10 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will chili peppers planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, chili peppers are usually ready from about May 7 to June 6, 70-100 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.