Will Dehydrated Pepper Seeds Grow? Germination Rate & More

Peppers are among the most popular vegetables due to their taste and versatility in recipes. Many types of dried peppers are available at grocery or specialty stores and online. You may have found a kind you love and wonder if you can have your pepper garden. And you might not be able to find seeds to buy for your favorite type of pepper. Will dehydrated pepper seeds grow?

Yes, dehydrated pepper seeds will grow into plants if the peppers have been naturally dried and not smoked. Then they will germinate, and you can grow your peppers.

Now that you know it’s possible to grow your favorites from the seeds of dehydrated ones, you may have more questions. Let’s dive in to learn how to germinate, plant the seeds, and more!

Are dehydrated pepper seeds viable?

Fully ripe peppers which were dehydrated should contain seeds that will sprout. Smoked peppers will not have seeds that will germinate. Green jalapenos are not fully ripe, but you can try to see if some of their seeds will sprout.

Note that if the pepper is a hybrid, you may not get the same pepper as the one from which the seeds came.

The dehydration process will affect the seeds. If too hot a temperature was used, it could affect seeds’ germination, and they might not all sprout.

Try harvesting all the seeds you can. You can save some for later and try the rest to see how many germinate. If you end up with more plants than you need, you can keep just the most vigorous ones and give away the rest to your pepper-loving friends.

What is the fastest way to germinate pepper seeds?

If you’re planning on putting your pepper plants outside in a garden, you’ll want to start the seeds six-ten weeks before the last frost date. Peppers love warm weather., so you don’t want to put them outside too soon. They can also be grown in pots outside. One pepper plant can have anywhere from five to ten peppers growing.

It may take a week or even up to a month before the seeds sprout. Most should germinate in one to two weeks.

The Seeds

If your peppers are spicy, protect your hands from the oils by using latex gloves when you cut open the peppers. Scrape out the seeds into a container. Soften the seeds’ coating by covering them with lukewarm water and leave to soak for 2-3 days. This will speed up germination.

You can either put the seeds in a shallow tray or into small peat pots placed on a tray. Fill whichever you’re using with seed starter mix. They will need to stay warm, so use a germination mat under the tray and set it to 85 degrees. The ideal temperature range for germination is 80-90 degrees.

Planting the Seeds

Here are the steps to planting your seeds after they’ve been soaked:

1. Lay the seeds on the soil and push them in. Plan them one to two inches apart, about 1/4″ deep. If you’re using peat pots, plant two-four seeds per pot.
2. Cover the seeds with soil, pressing so that the soil is in contact with all of the seed’s shells.
3. Water with a sprayer if using a tray. For pots, water from the bottom. You want the soil moist, not soggy.
4. You can use a clear plastic cover to help keep the plants warm.
5. Once you see a leaf, put the tray in a south-facing window or under grow lights.
6. Transplant into 3″ pots once there are three leaves.
7. When ready to transplant the seedlings to the garden, space them out 12-18 inches when the soil is about 70-75 degrees. Or put one plant into a pot big enough to hold to the roots of a full-grown plant.

Can you plant fresh seeds from a pepper?

We’ve talked about seeds from dried peppers. How about fresh peppers that you buy at the grocery store. Can you plant those seeds? Yes, you can. Most peppers sold are hybrids, though, so the peppers you grow may differ from the ones you bought. Also, irradiated peppers will not be viable.

Make sure the pepper is completely ripe. It should be starting to wrinkle. Green bell peppers are not ripe. They need to turn red before harvesting the seeds.

You have two options: Plant the seeds right away or dry them first to plant them later.

If planting them right away, follow the procedure above. Whether using now or later, since the pepper is fresh, rinse the seeds if anything sticks to them after removing them from the pepper’s core.

Drying Pepper Seeds to Plant Later

Arrange the seeds in a single layer on wax paper, a coffee filter, or a tray. Using paper towels will cause the seeds to stick to the towel.

Let them dry for a few days, away from sunlight. Turn them over a couple of times during that time. Test a seed and cut it in half. If it snaps, they are ready.

Storing the Seeds

After the seeds are completely dry, store them in a Ziploc bag or, preferably, a glass jar. Be sure to label the container with the variety of pepper and the date.

The seeds can be stored in the refrigerator since that is the ideal temperature. They can also be kept in any cool, dry area. The seeds will last for two-four years.

Conclusion

Peppers are a favorite vegetable for many people, and there is a wide variety of shapes, colors, and levels of spiciness. You can easily find them dehydrated or fresh. After trying several kinds, you may have a few favorites and want to try your hand at growing your own.

You can harvest seeds from dehydrated peppers. The seeds are already dry, so you can plant them right away or store them for a future planting. You also learned that you could grow peppers from fresh pepper seeds.

These veggies are easy to grow and don’t need much care. The most important thing for them is sunshine and warmth. They prefer a temperature range of 70-84 degrees. Have fun experimenting with saving seeds from your favorite peppers, germinating, and planting the seeds from them.