How to Plant Seeds From Fresh Peppers

Fresh peppers can make a delightful addition to stir frys, salads and other meals, but why end the experience with the meal? The seeds from many store bought fresh peppers can be saved and planted to produce their own peppers.

• Purchase peppers from a farmers' market or other local market instead of from a commercial grocery store. Many varieties sold at grocery stores will have been sterilized or treated, leaving the pepper seeds unable to produce plants.


• Choose organic peppers if possible.


• Avoid hybrid peppers for planting pepper seeds, as the genetically modified varieties will most likely not produce plants.


• Cut open the pepper and gently remove the seeds from the inside. Peel or scrape away any of the membrane.


• Place the seeds in a single layer on a paper towel and allow to dry completely.


• Store seeds in an air-tight container until ready to plant.


• Plan to plant the seeds indoors, or outside if the temperatures are warm enough that all danger of frost has passed.


• Plant the seeds in a shallow container and lightly cover with soil. A small container with compartments, such as a used egg carton, can serve as a suitable planter for the seeds.


• Water the seeds regularly but avoid over watering.


• Place the seeds in a sunny spot and allow them to grow.


• Replant seedlings into larger pots once the plants have produced a few leaves.


• Harvest the peppers when they are of the desired size; peppers should easily break free from the plant when they are ready to be picked.