Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Peppers in Florida

From sweet bells to fiery habaneros, peppers love heat and reward patience with prolific harvests.

The Short Answer

Florida grows peppers commercially on a massive scale, and home gardeners benefit from the same conditions that make the state a national leader. Like tomatoes, peppers in Florida follow a winter-spring calendar in the southern part of the state and a more traditional schedule in the north. The combination of warmth, long days, and fertile (if sandy) soils makes Florida one of the easiest places in the country to grow peppers — once you learn to work with the sand.

Florida Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Florida you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Florida 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 15 - Mar 10 Nov 15 - Dec 10
Central Florida 9a, 9b, 10a Jan 15 - Feb 10 Dec 10 - Jan 5
South Florida 10a, 10b, 11a Rare Rare

Peppers Planting Schedule for Florida

North Florida (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 15 - Mar 10 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 10

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost

Central Florida (Zones 9a, 9b, 10a)

Average last frost: Jan 15 - Feb 10 · Average first frost: Dec 10 - Jan 5

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost

South Florida (Zones 10a, 10b, 11a)

Average last frost: Rare · Average first frost: Rare

Start Seeds Indoors
8 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost

Growing Peppers in Florida

State-Specific Growing Tips

North Florida transplants peppers from mid-February through March, with a possible fall crop in August. Central Florida plants from January through February. South Florida grows peppers from October through March — the 'winter vegetable season.' Florida's sandy soils drain rapidly, so frequent, light irrigation is better than infrequent deep watering. Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks, as sandy soil can't hold nutrients. Stake bell pepper plants — heavy fruit on sandy-rooted plants topples easily, especially during afternoon thunderstorms.

Recommended Varieties for Florida

UF/IFAS Extension recommends X3R varieties (Aristotle, Paladin, Revolution) with multiple disease resistances critical for Florida growing. For hot peppers, Datil pepper has a devoted following in the St. Augustine area — it's practically the city's mascot. Scotch Bonnet, Habanero, and Thai peppers all love Florida's conditions. Sweet Banana and Cubanelle are prolific in the state's long warm season.

Common Challenges in Florida

Bacterial spot (Xanthomonas) is the #1 pepper disease in Florida — choose X3R resistant varieties. Broad mites cause leaf distortion that mimics herbicide damage. Root-knot nematodes in Florida's sandy soils attack pepper roots — rotate locations annually and plant marigold cover crops. Pepper weevils are a significant commercial and home garden pest in south Florida.

Growing Tips

Start seeds early — peppers are slow to germinate. Wait until nights are consistently above 55°F before transplanting.

Companion Planting

Plant peppers alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Basil Carrots Onions

Keep peppers away from:

Fennel Kohlrabi

The Bottom Line

Peppers can be grown successfully in Florida with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Florida gardeners work with a last frost around Feb 15 - Mar 10, while South Florida sees frost end around Rare. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Peppers Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Florida Planting Calendar All plants for Florida Peppers in Alabama Alabama planting dates Peppers in Alaska Alaska planting dates Peppers in Arizona Arizona planting dates Peppers in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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