When to Plant Cayenne Pepper in Oakland, California (94607)

Location

Oakland, California

ZIP Code

94607

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 Cayenne 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 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 Oakland?

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 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 Oakland, California? +

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

What is the last frost date for Oakland, California? +

The average last spring frost date for Oakland, California (ZIP 94607) is around Thursday, January 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 10b.

How long does Cayenne Pepper take to grow? +

Cayenne Pepper typically matures in about 75 days from transplanting. In Oakland, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, January 29, 2026 plus 75 days.

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

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

📚 More Cayenne Pepper Planting Guides

🗺️

Cayenne Pepper in California

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 10b Cayenne Pepper Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Oakland

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 10b

Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Oakland, 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 Cayenne Pepper seedlings outdoors around Thursday, January 29, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.