You may want to know how to save pepper seeds for next year when the growing season is over and the peppers are ready to eat. It’s easy to save pepper seeds, and if you want to grow the same kinds of peppers every year, it can save you money.
Our pepper seed saving method is easy, but there are some important tips you should know about. In this article, I’ll explain how we save pepper seeds for growing next year.
The first and most important step to saving pepper seeds is to choose fully ripened peppers. The reason for this is to ensure that the seeds inside are fully developed and mature.
In this case, if you want to store jalapeño seeds, pick a bright red pepper instead of a younger green pepper. This is because red peppers are at the final stage of ripening.
Pepper seeds are a gardener’s treasure. Saving and storing seeds from season to season allows you to grow new pepper plants without having to purchase new seeds every year. This saves money and reduces waste. However, pepper seeds don’t last forever. So how long are pepper seeds good for?
How Long Do Pepper Seeds Last?
With proper storage, pepper seeds can remain viable for 2-5 years on average. Some factors that determine pepper seed longevity include
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Storage temperature – Seeds last longer when stored in colder environments. A freezer is ideal.
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Seed moisture – Excess moisture causes seeds to germinate prematurely or develop mold. Proper drying and moisture-controlled storage extends viability.
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Exposure to light – Light can degrade seeds over time. Opaque, light-blocking containers are best for storage.
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Seed age – Older seeds lose viability faster than younger seeds Grow and collect fresh seeds annually for maximum longevity
While most seeds only remain usable for a few years, pepper seeds stored under perfect lab conditions can last for over 25 years! However, home storage is unlikely to achieve such long viability.Aim for 2-5 years of lifespan with proper home seed saving techniques.
How to Store Pepper Seeds for Maximum Viability
Follow these tips to keep your collected pepper seeds viable for as long as possible:
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Allow peppers to fully ripen before collecting seeds. Unripe seeds may not germinate well.
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Remove seeds and dry on a plate or paper towel for 1-2 weeks until brittle. Turn seeds periodically for even drying.
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Place dried seeds in an airtight, moisture-proof container like a glass jar or plastic bag. Add a desiccant like silica gel to absorb moisture.
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Label containers with the pepper variety and year collected. This helps you use older seeds first.
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Store containers in the freezer for optimal seed lifespan. The refrigerator is second best. Avoid sheds, garages, and anywhere with temperature fluctuations.
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Limit exposure to light, heat, and excess moisture during storage. Open containers only when necessary.
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When taking seeds out for planting, allow the container to reach room temperature before opening to avoid moisture condensation. Reseal promptly after removing seeds.
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Use older seeds first to maximize viability. Sow newer seeds in later years.
Following these pepper seed storage guidelines will keep your homegrown seeds usable for as long as possible. With ideal conditions, aim for at least 2-5 years of lifespan.
How to Test if Pepper Seeds are Still Viable
It’s impossible to know for sure if seeds are still good without attempting to germinate them. Here are some ways to test pepper seed viability:
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Soak test: Soak seeds in water for 24-48 hours. Discard any floaters and sow the sinkers. Germination indicates viability.
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Paper towel test: Place seeds on damp paper towels. Check for sprouting every few days. Viability is indicated if seeds germinate within 1-2 weeks.
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Sample sowing: Sow a sample of the seeds in seed trays. Monitor germination rate. High rates indicate higher viability.
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** Float test:** Drop seeds in a bowl of water. Viable seeds should sink. Floating seeds are likely no longer good.
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Cut test: Slice a seed in half. A white, firm interior indicates viability. Dark, mushy insides signal non-viable seed.
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Germination test: Sow a sample of seeds directly outdoors in warm soil. Good germination rates signal higher viability. Account for soil factors that can impact germination.
Testing a sample of stored seeds each year allows you to determine if they are still viable or need replacing with fresh seed stock. This saves time and avoids ungerminated seed disappointment at planting time.
Maximize Pepper Seed Longevity With Proper Harvesting
The first step to long-lasting seeds begins long before storage – it begins right in the garden. Follow these tips when harvesting pepper seeds:
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Leave peppers on the plant until fully ripe and colored. Green or partially ripe peppers may not yield viable seed.
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When harvesting, choose the best, healthiest peppers from each plant. Avoid diseased peppers.
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Allow harvested peppers to ferment for 1-2 days before removing seeds. Fermentation helps loosen seeds from interior walls.
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Remove seeds and pulp, then wash and dry thoroughly before storage. Drying is critical.
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Discard any seeds that are small, misshapen, or lightweight. These are less likely to be viable.
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Store seeds immediately after drying using proper storage methods.
Collecting ripe, healthy seeds and properly preparing them for storage gives you the best chance at long-lived pepper seeds.
The Bottom Line
With optimal harvesting, drying, and storage methods, home gardeners can expect pepper seeds to remain viable for 2-5 years on average. Some may last longer, while others may only maintain viability for a year or two. Testing viability annually allows you to sow only your best, healthiest seeds each season. And starting with the oldest seeds first ensures no seed goes to waste. Enjoy replanting your homegrown pepper varieties year after year with proper seed saving techniques.
How to know when peppers are fully ripe
A fully ripened pepper will almost always change color. Jalapeños turn from green to red when fully ripe. In time, green bell peppers will turn orange, yellow, or red. Red bell peppers are actually green bell peppers that are fully ripe. Even banana peppers will eventually turn red.
Not all peppers turn red, for example, the lemon spice jalapeño pepper ripen to a bright yellow color.
Another characteristic of fully ripened peppers is a slightly softer texture. Under-ripe peppers are typically very firm. After ripening, the pepper’s flesh will soften, and a simple *squeeze* will not cause the peppers to crack.
Under-ripe peppers will usually make an audible cracking sound when squeezed. This is especially the case for thicker-skinned peppers, like jalapeños, bell peppers, and banana peppers. Color change of ripe lemon spice jalapeno.
Tip: Avoid saving seeds from hybrid peppers, such as store bought peppers. When you buy pepper seeds, it’s best to get fresh ones because hybrid seeds won’t grow exactly like the real pepper. Only save seeds from heirlooms if you don’t mind if your plants change size, shape, color, and taste.
To put it simply, look for these signs that a pepper is fully ripe:
- Change in color
- Softer skin (when squeezed)
- Easier to pick
Learn more about harvesting peppers here.
The first step is to remove seeds from your peppers. Protect your hands with gloves whenever you handle hot peppers, even jalapeños. This will keep your skin from getting that painful pepper burn.
How you remove the seeds is up to you, but I prefer to keep it simple. Slice the peppers open, and scrape out the seeds onto a ceramic or paper plate.
You shouldn’t dry your seeds on a paper towel because the seeds will stick to the towel and be hard to get off.
How to remove pepper seeds for storage
- Slice peppers open. Slice the peppers in half lengthwise to reveal the seeds. You can also cut off the bottom of the peppers and roll them to get the seeds out.
- Scrape out the seeds with a spoon.
- Clean up the seeds. There will still be some pepper seeds stuck to the white pith inside the pepper. This can be taken off by hand to clean the seeds, or you can leave it there; it won’t affect germination or storage if you do.
- Spread seeds and allow to dry. Spread the seeds out evenly on a plate. Keep your seeds in a well-ventilated area for 5-7 days. A small fan can also help the air flow and dry things faster.
Tip: If you want to save seeds from more than one type of pepper, make sure to dry them in separate, clearly marked containers so that the seeds don’t get mixed up.
Save Seeds in a Sealed Container
When your pepper seeds are dried, they must be kept dry and cool. Label your seeds and store them in a sealed container. You can use plastic bags, paper envelopes, or even a ball jar. Ideally, keep your dried pepper seeds sealed in the refrigerator at around 40°F.
If you plan to store your seeds for an extended period of time, keeping a food-grade desiccant packet inside can help keep the seeds fully dry. Seeds stored in ball jar.
Tip: Always label your seeds! Even if you are only storing one type of pepper seed, writing down the date and type of seed will make things easier in the future.
Don’t forget to dry the rest of the fresh pepper flesh or use one of the many other ways to preserve peppers after you’ve put away the dried seeds. Don’t let your hard work go to waste!
Next year, use our pepper growing guide to use your saved pepper seeds!
How To Save Pepper Seeds To Grow Next Year – Pepper Geek
FAQ
How long do pepper seeds stay good?
How can you tell if pepper seeds are good?
Will 10 year old seeds germinate?
How do you know when seeds have gone bad?
How long do pepper seeds last?
With perfect drying and storage methods — such as those used in labs — it’s possible to store seeds for as long as 25 years; in more normal circumstances (like seeds from seed packets), pepper seeds can be viable for up to five years but even that lifespan will depend on a few factors. You can expect the viability to go down over time.
Is it safe to consume a heaped teaspoon of black pepper per day?
Black pepper is a common culinary spice and has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. However, consuming a teaspoonful of black pepper a day may not be safe for everyone. Black pepper contains a chemical compound called piperine, which can interfere with the absorption of some medicines and food supplements. In addition, excessive ingestion of black pepper can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea and vomiting.
Can I save Pepper seeds?
Saving pepper seeds requires a bit of planning to get the best and most viable seeds for next season’s planting. If you are growing hybrid peppers (F1 is printed after the name on the seed packet), the seeds will not produce the same pepper next year. When saving pepper seeds, open-pollinated, will produce new plants of the same variety.
Do you need to buy pepper seeds every year?
You don’t have to buy fresh pepper seeds every year if you get seeds from your harvest. As long as you store them properly, you can plant from the same set of seeds for several years. Of course, you will need to make sure that you are starting with mature seeds, since immature seeds will not germinate.
Do pepper seeds need to be dried before storing?
Yes. Remove the seeds and wash them well to remove any bits of pepper flesh. The seeds must be dried completely before storing or they will mold or sprout. How long should pepper seeds dry out before storing? For seeds removed from fresh peppers, the seeds should dry at 100 degrees F. for at least 6 hours before storing or planting.
How long should pepper seeds dry before planting?
For seeds removed from fresh peppers, the seeds should dry at 100 degrees F. for at least 6 hours before storing or planting. For seeds removed from dried peppers, dry at 100 degrees F. for a couple of hours to be sure all of the moisture is removed. Pepper seeds are easy to remove and save for planting in next year’s garden.