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When to Plant Banana Pepper in Lititz, Pennsylvania (17543)

Location

Lititz, Pennsylvania

ZIP Code

17543

USDA Zone

7a

Last Frost

Friday, April 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Friday, January 30, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Friday, April 24, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, April 10, 2026 · Zone 7a

Pro tip: Start Banana Pepper seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Friday, April 24, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Capsicum annuum
Days to Maturity 70 days
Mature Height 18-24"
Spread 18"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Banana Pepper in Lititz?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, January 30, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilCarrotTomatoMarigold

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

FennelBrassicas
🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Banana Pepper

See which plants help Banana Pepper thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate
✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let peppers ripen fully to yellow or red before collecting seeds.

Processing

Remove seeds from ripe pepper, spread to dry on a screen for 1–2 weeks.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Banana pepper (C. annuum) crosses with all other annuum peppers. Isolate if keeping varieties pure.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Banana Pepper. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Banana Pepper in Lititz, Pennsylvania? +

In Lititz (Zone 7a), start Banana Pepper seeds indoors around Friday, January 30, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, April 24, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Lititz, Pennsylvania? +

The average last spring frost date for Lititz, Pennsylvania (ZIP 17543) is around Friday, April 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 7a.

How long does Banana Pepper take to grow? +

Banana Pepper typically matures in about 70 days from transplanting. In Lititz, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, April 24, 2026 plus 70 days.

Should I start Banana Pepper indoors or direct sow in Pennsylvania? +

Banana Pepper should be started indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. In Lititz, that means starting around Friday, January 30, 2026.

Other Plants for Lititz

Growing Banana Pepper in Zone 7a

Banana Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Lititz, Pennsylvania, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a, you should start seeds indoors around Friday, January 30, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, April 10, 2026. Plan to transplant your Banana Pepper seedlings outdoors around Friday, April 24, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.