Home › Chili Pepper › Grow in Virginia

Can You Grow Chili Pepper in Virginia?

US · USDA Zone 7a · zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

Grows well here

Chili peppers thrive here — expect a productive harvest through the warm months.

Plant zones

4a–11b

Virginia last frost

early March

Virginia first frost

late November

Days to harvest

65–80 days

When to plant Chili Peppers in Virginia

Start indoors

Jan 10

Transplant

Mar 7

Harvest

May 11 – May 26

Dates are approximate, based on Virginia's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Chili Pepper

Chili peppers are drought-tolerant once established and highly productive in warm sunny conditions.

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Chilies love heat — the hotter the summer the hotter the pepper. Great for containers on south-facing balconies.

Full chili pepper growing guide →

Gardening in Virginia

Virginia ranges from Zone 5b in the mountains to Zone 7b on the coast. The Shenandoah Valley is Zone 6b-7a. Four seasons with a long productive growing window in most areas.

See what grows well in Virginia →

Frequently asked questions

Can you grow Chili Pepper in Virginia?

Chili peppers thrive here — expect a productive harvest through the warm months.

What zone is Virginia?

Virginia spans USDA Zone 7a (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).

When do you plant Chili Peppers in Virginia?

Plant Chili Peppers around early March (start indoors Jan 10), harvest May 11 – May 26.