How to Save Pepper Seeds Before Frost Damages the Plants

For the best seed-saving results, let peppers reach their mature color before collecting the seeds. Dry seeds thoroughly, label the variety, and store them somewhere cool and dry for next spring. Mariia Boiko/Shutterstock

When frost threatens your pepper plants, most gardeners immediately think about harvesting the peppers—but this may also be your last chance to collect next year’s seeds. Saving seeds from a favorite plant costs practically nothing and can turn one successful pepper into dozens of potential plants next season. The catch is that saving pepper seeds isn’t as simple as scooping seeds from any green pepper in the garden, because the fruit needs enough time to mature for the seeds inside to develop properly. Peppers are also sensitive to cold and cannot tolerate frost, according to the University of Illinois, so waiting too long can put both the plant and your seed-saving plans at risk. Before the first hard cold arrives, identify your best plants and save a few of their most mature fruits.

Start With Your Healthiest Pepper Plants