Shishito Pepper in Zone 7a & 7b
Capsicum annuum
Yes, shishito pepper grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Feb 13–Feb 20 and plant out Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant shishito pepper in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 23–Jun 30 (~60 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of shishito pepper in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Bell PepperApr 24–May 1
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)Apr 24–May 1
- 7 Pot Primo PepperApr 24–May 1
- Aji Amarillo PepperApr 24–May 1
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Apr 24–May 1
- Carolina Reaper PepperApr 24–May 1
Shishito is the small, wrinkled green pepper that gets blistered in a hot pan and eaten whole. Baker Creek calls it an old Japanese variety with 3 inch fruit, mildly flavored with just a bit of spice.
How shishito pepper fits zone 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Shishito pepper needs about 60 days from transplant to first harvest.
Shishito Pepper planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Aug 12–Aug 19 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | Jul 28–Aug 4 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 15–Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | Jul 23–Jul 30 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | Jul 8–Jul 15 |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 23–Jun 30 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jun 7–Jun 14 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Apr 30–May 7 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Dec–Feb | Feb–Apr | ~60 days after transplanting |
| Summer window | May–Jul | Jul–Sep | ~60 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11bSummer window | Jun–Dec | Aug–Feb | ~60 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 60 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
- Basil: Reputed to repel aphids and improve pepper growth nearby, but a controlled garden trial testing this same claim on a related crop found no pest-reduction benefit from basil, and found higher pest counts on the basil-companioned plants. Treat this pairing as unproven, not as a working pest deterrent.
- Onion: Reputed to deter many common pepper pests, though this specific pairing hasn't been tested the way onion/carrot pest-masking has. Treat it as garden tradition.
Where to buy shishito pepper seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · High Mowing Organic Seeds (shishito pepper seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing shishito pepper" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Shishito Pepper in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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