Lemon Drop Pepper in Zone 9a & 9b
Capsicum baccatum
Yes, Lemon Drop pepper grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 7–Dec 14 and plant out Mar 1–Mar 8.
When to plant Lemon Drop pepper in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Dec 7–Dec 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 9–Jun 16 (~100 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of Lemon Drop pepper in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Bell PepperMar 1–Mar 8
- 7 Pot Douglah Pepper (Chocolate 7 Pot)Mar 1–Mar 8
- 7 Pot Primo PepperMar 1–Mar 8
- Aji Amarillo PepperMar 1–Mar 8
- Anaheim Pepper (New Mexico, Hatch)Mar 1–Mar 8
- Carolina Reaper PepperMar 1–Mar 8
Lemon Drop is a Peruvian seasoning pepper, *Capsicum baccatum*, that Baker Creek describes as ripening to a clear lemon yellow with a clean, slightly citrusy heat. It is good in jellies and preserves.
How Lemon Drop pepper fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Lemon Drop pepper needs about 100 days from transplant to first harvest.
Lemon Drop Pepper planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Sep 21–Sep 28 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 6–Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | Sep 6–Sep 13 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | Sep 1–Sep 8 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 14–Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | Aug 17–Aug 24 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | Aug 2–Aug 9 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 14–Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jul 17–Jul 24 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | Dec 7–Dec 14 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jun 9–Jun 16 |
| 10a & 10b | Nov 21–Nov 28 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | May 24–May 31 |
| 11a & 11bSummer window | May–Nov | Aug–Feb | ~100 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 100 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 Lemon Drop pepper seeds
Botanical Interests (Lemon Drop pepper seeds)
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing Lemon Drop pepper" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lemon Drop Pepper in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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