When to Plant Peppers in Florida
In Florida, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Jan 29 – Feb 12 in Winter Haven to Mar 25 – Apr 8 in Tallahassee. In Jacksonville, it's Feb 15 – Mar 1. The average last spring frost differs by about 8 weeks across the state (Jan 15 in Winter Haven, Mar 11 in Tallahassee), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Florida by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altamonte Springs | 10a | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Apopka | 9b | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Bonita Springs | 10b | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Boynton Beach | 10b | Nov 13 – Nov 27 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Bradenton | 10a | Nov 7 – Nov 21 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Cape Coral | 10b | Nov 7 – Nov 21 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Clearwater | 10a | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Clermont | 9b | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Cutler Bay | 11a | Nov 9 – Nov 23 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Daytona Beach | 9b | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Delray Beach | 11a | Nov 13 – Nov 27 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Deltona | 9b | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Fort Myers | 10b | Nov 7 – Nov 21 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Fort Pierce | 10a | Nov 13 – Nov 27 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Gainesville | 9a | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Jacksonville | 9b | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Jupiter | 10b | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Kissimmee | 10a | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Lakeland | 9b | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Largo | 10a | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Melbourne | 10a | Nov 15 – Nov 29 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| North Port | 10a | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Ocala | 9a | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Ocoee | 10a | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Orlando | 10a | Nov 16 – Nov 30 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Palm Bay | 10a | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Palm Beach Gardens | 10b | Nov 12 – Nov 26 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Palm Coast | 9b | Nov 15 – Nov 29 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Pensacola | 9a | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Pinellas Park | 10a | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Port Orange | 10a | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Sanford | 9b | Nov 17 – Dec 1 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Sarasota | 10a | Nov 6 – Nov 20 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| St. Cloud | 10a | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| St. Petersburg | 10b | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Tallahassee | 9a | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Tampa | 10a | Nov 11 – Nov 25 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Titusville | 10a | Nov 16 – Nov 30 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Winter Garden | 9b | Nov 19 – Dec 3 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Winter Haven | 10a | Nov 6 – Nov 20 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
Parts of Florida rarely see frost (for example Miami, Port St. Lucie, Hialeah). There, planting is timed by heat rather than frost, usually in the cooler months; look up your ZIP code for details.
See all frost dates in Florida, or the general guide to when to plant peppers.
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