Planting Peppers: How Much Distance Is Necessary?

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:46 pm

When growing peppers, there is always a mistake. The bell pepper plants are not placed with the correct spacing. However, if the planting distance is too small, there will be less yield in the worst case disease or pest infestation.

To the point

• The bell pepper plants must not interfere with each other at the site
• required spacing of the adult plants should be observed during planting
• planting distance in the greenhouse and garden bed is different
• Plants that are too close together react with stunted growth

Planting distance in the garden bed

In a garden bed with rows of peppers (Capsicum), it is important here to observe different distances when planting. This is because it is not just a matter of the plants reacting with stunted growth if they are too close together in the row. Also the distances between the individual rows must be large enough, in order to be able to walk comfortably between the rows. If plants are too close together, branches and flowers can be broken off as they walk through. Also pay attention to this:

• keep one meter between each row
• but at least 80 centimeters
• Peppers grow in width
• spacing in the rows 50 centimeters to 60 centimeters

Tip: Place your bell pepper plants individually in large deep and wide tubs and place them on the patio or balcony, then you can pull the pots apart and increase the spacing when the plants start to grow larger and need more space.

Planting distance in the greenhouse

Greenhouses for your own use in the garden are usually not that big. Therefore, the spacing between individual bell pepper plants must be planned differently here. There is usually no space here to plant individual rows:

• Planting distance 50 centimeters
• plant in zigzag
• one plant in the back
• the next diagonally to the front
• the third again diagonally to the back
• so it is possible to harvest comfortably
• the plants do not interfere with each other

Tip: If you sow the peppers yourself, they should always be grown in advance. In a greenhouse, you can also put the seeds directly into the ground. Pay attention to the distance already here, otherwise you will have to prick later.

Plant neighbors

There are many planting neighbors that are good for the development of bell pepper plants. But here, too, care should be taken to maintain a certain distance. Therefore, in the garden bed it is helpful to put a row of peppers and a row of other plants. This is because many of the good planting neighbors presented here are smaller in stature than the peppers and therefore may grow stunted to non-existent due to lack of sun or brightness:

• Tagetes (marigold)
• Borage (Borago officinalis)
• Onions (Allium cepa)
• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

These plant neighbors can attract insects for pollination of bell pepper flowers or drive away annoying pests with their scent.

A vegetable garden can be planted with peas (Pisum sativum), cabbage (Brassica), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), carrots (Daucus carota ), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) and eggplant (Solanum melongena) next to the bell pepper plants.

Note: Since a greenhouse is an enclosed area, you can place the bell pepper plants here on one side and a bed with the desired plant neighbors on the opposite side. This way, the plants will support each other here as well.

Frequently asked questions

How tall do the bell pepper plants grow?

While there are many different varieties from chili to sweet peppers. While the varieties differ in the size of their fruits, most of the plants do not grow very tall. As a rule, bell pepper plants grow only up to one meter in height. However, due to the weight of the branching and the fruits in summer, you should always also place them protected from the wind and stabilize them with a stick.

How many individual bell pepper plants should I cultivate?

It depends on the number of people who also want to harvest the fruit. Depending on how much of the tasty vegetable is consumed in your family, it is advisable to count on three to five plants per person for a sufficient harvest in summer. Therefore, if your household consists of grandparents, parents and two children, then you are welcome to cultivate between 18 and 30 bell pepper plants.

Any tips for spacing them?

Dig the first hole at the beginning of a row. From here, place an appropriate spacer of the appropriate length to the next hole and prepare it. Proceed in this way until the end of a row. To make sure that you set the rows at the right distance appropriately straight, you can set short stakes at the beginning and end of the row and stretch a rope along which you dig the planting holes.

Is there a difference between red and green peppers?

No there isn’t. The fruits first turn green and then later change to red, yellow or orange. But there are differences in the size, length and thickness of the bell pepper fruits. However, these all change colors.