When to Plant Serrano Pepper in San Francisco, California (94124)

Location

San Francisco, California

ZIP Code

94124

USDA Zone

10b

Last Frost

Thursday, January 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Transplant Outdoors

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Based on last frost Thursday, January 15, 2026 · Zone 10b

Pro tip: Start Serrano Pepper seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Thursday, January 29, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Capsicum annuum

Days to Maturity 80 days

Mature Height 24-36"

Spread 18"

Type Bush

Fruit Size Small (1-2 inches)

☀️ 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 Serrano Pepper in San Francisco?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Thursday, November 6, 2025.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilCarrotTomato

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Serrano Pepper

See which plants help Serrano 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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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Allow peppers to fully ripen red on the plant.

Processing

Remove seeds carefully — serrano is quite hot. Dry flat for 1–2 weeks. Gloves recommended.

Seed Viability

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

Pro Tip

C. annuum — crosses freely with other annuum peppers. Isolate by 300 feet for pure seed.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Serrano Pepper in San Francisco, California? +

In San Francisco (Zone 10b), start Serrano Pepper seeds indoors around Thursday, November 6, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Thursday, January 29, 2026.

What is the last frost date for San Francisco, California? +

The average last spring frost date for San Francisco, California (ZIP 94124) is around Thursday, January 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 10b.

How long does Serrano Pepper take to grow? +

Serrano Pepper typically matures in about 80 days from transplanting. In San Francisco, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, January 29, 2026 plus 80 days.

Should I start Serrano Pepper indoors or direct sow in California? +

Serrano Pepper should be started indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. In San Francisco, that means starting around Thursday, November 6, 2025.

📚 More Serrano Pepper Planting Guides

🗺️

Serrano Pepper in California

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 10b Serrano Pepper Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Serrano Pepper in Zone 10b

Serrano Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a popular garden vegetable. In San Francisco, California, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b, you should start seeds indoors around Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Thursday, January 15, 2026. Plan to transplant your Serrano Pepper seedlings outdoors around Thursday, January 29, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.