When to Plant Cayenne Pepper in Altus, Arkansas (72821)

Location

Altus, Arkansas

ZIP Code

72821

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Friday, January 9, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Friday, April 3, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Start Cayenne Pepper seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Capsicum annuum

Days to Maturity 75 days

Mature Height 24-36"

Spread 18"

Type Bush

Fruit Size Small (2-5 inch pods)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Moderate

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Cayenne Pepper in Altus?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, January 9, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilCarrotTomato

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Cayenne Pepper

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

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Cayenne Pepper Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Ring of Fire

open-pollinated 60d

Hot, thin-walled cayenne that matures early and dries beautifully for flakes and powder.

Long Slim Cayenne

open-pollinated 70d

Classic 5–6 inch thin pepper with classic cayenne heat; great fresh or dried.

Golden Cayenne

open-pollinated 70d

Yellow version of the classic cayenne; slightly milder with a fruity undertone.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let peppers ripen fully red before collecting seeds.

Processing

Cut open ripe peppers, carefully remove seeds, spread to dry 1–2 weeks. Wear gloves.

Seed Viability

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

Pro Tip

Crosses with all Capsicum annuum peppers (bell, jalapeño, etc.). Isolate by 300 feet for pure seed.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cayenne Pepper in Altus, Arkansas? +

In Altus (Zone 8a), start Cayenne Pepper seeds indoors around Friday, January 9, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Altus, Arkansas? +

The average last spring frost date for Altus, Arkansas (ZIP 72821) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Cayenne Pepper take to grow? +

Cayenne Pepper typically matures in about 75 days from transplanting. In Altus, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, April 3, 2026 plus 75 days.

Should I start Cayenne Pepper indoors or direct sow in Arkansas? +

Cayenne Pepper should be started indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. In Altus, that means starting around Friday, January 9, 2026.

📚 More Cayenne Pepper Planting Guides

🗺️

Cayenne Pepper in Arkansas

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Cayenne Pepper Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Altus

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Cayenne Pepper in Zone 8a

Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Altus, Arkansas, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should start seeds indoors around Friday, January 9, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Cayenne Pepper seedlings outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.