How many times did that happen when you forgot the peepers kept in your freezer and they got ripe? Many times, for sure. In this case, what can be the use of these ripe or near ripe peppers? Well, you can use the seeds stored inside the pepper and have some healthy pepper plants in your garden.

Are you confused about the frozen chili pepper seeds? Don’t worry at all. They will germinate very well. You just need to choose the right seeds and sprout them in the correct process. Here we will discuss both, will frozen pepper seeds germinate and the different ways of sprouting frozen pepper seeds.

Complete Guide on Germinating Seeds from Frozen Pepper Seeds

Will Frozen Pepper Seeds Germinate?

Absolutely, frozen peeper seeds germinate. There isn’t any reason for frozen pepper seeds not sprouting. In fact, while gardeners want to store any varieties of seeds for a long time, they use a freezing method for that. It doesn’t do any harm to the seeds and keeps them usable for a long time more than seeds stored at room temperatures.

The same rule goes for the pepper seeds. If you freeze them, they can be stored for a long time. Plus, seeds from frozen chilies can also be used for germinating new pepper plants. And it just takes 2 weeks to sprout new plants from chili seeds, whereas super-hot chilies will take 4 to 6 weeks to germinate.

Even it can take less time to germinate if the seeds are stored properly. And if you don’t store them well or keep them at room temperature then seeds will be more prone to damage.

Plus, keep in mind when you store the seeds, they shouldn’t be dried out fully. Otherwise, they will develop ice crystals and damage the seeds.

Different Ways to Sprout Frozen Pepper Seeds

Now that you know frozen pepper seeds can be germinated well. Let’s discuss various ways to sprout them.

1. Baggie Process (Viability Test)

The very first and most common process of germinating seeds of peppers or many other seeds is using paper towels or plastic zip bags. For sprouting in this process, first, dampen the paper towel and place the chili seeds inside.

Be sure the paper is not fully soaked. Just damp the paper with light water spray and place the seeds inside it. Then put the paper into a zip lock bag and keep it in a warm place. Keep checking the seeds every day to know if they have sprouted yet.

For different varieties of peppers, sprouting may take a different time frame. But if the seeds don’t sprout in the approximate time, then it’s time to change the seeds for germination.

So, checking regularly will be the best way to stay on track. Now it may take a little longer or sprout earlier. And in the case of sprouting seeds directly from chili pepper, the possibility is, only a few seeds that will sprout.

But don’t worry. You’ll get 10 to 15 seeds from every pack and from there at least a few will be good enough to germinate. Just screen out the discolored or popped-out seeds as they won’t sprout.

2. Sowing Direct Seeds

Another option for sowing chili seeds, sow them in the seed starting mix. The seed should be sowed indoors long before the last frost day, approximately 8 to 10 weeks. Also, remember the soil temperature should be at the right level for ensuring proper germination.

The right temperature for pepper plants is between 85 to 90 degrees. If the temperature goes below 80, the plants won’t sprout healthy. Also, plant the pepper seeds at a proper depth of approximately ½ to ¼ inches deep in the soil.

3. Soaking in Chamomile Tea

Well, are you not interested in sprouting seeds in paper towels? What about chamomile tea? Soaking seeds in chamomile tea is another common option for sprouting. When you soak the seeds in chamomile tea, the seed shell weakens fast and allows the seeds to grow.

Plus, soaking in chamomile will help to kill all bacteria present in seeds. So, how to do this? First, brew a cup of chamomile tea and have it. Then use the same tea bag to brew another cup of tea and soak the chili seeds in them. Allow the seeds to soak for at least 24 to 48 hours and then plant them.

4. Cup Method

Don’t like the idea of chamomile tea? Well, you can check the cup method then. Buy a lidded gelatin cup of 2 ounces. You can buy it from any party supply or grocery store. After that, dampen a small paper towel piece and stick it on the bottom of the gelatin cup. Place the chili seeds on top of that paper towel and shut the lid.

Now leave the seed cup on top of a seedling heat mat. The ideal temperature is between 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, damp the towel every day to keep the environment moist.  

5. Freezer Method

Winters are the best time to germinate seeds. Freezers can mimic the same environment as outdoors that naturally grows outside. Or you can also use your house refrigerator to do the same experiment.

First, place the seeds inside the refrigerator or freezer for only two days. Then take out the seeds from the freezing cold and place them inside a folded paper towel carefully. Damp the paper towel well and keep it on a plate. Then cover it with a dark color bowl.

In this case, you also have to put the plate in a warm area or plant heat mat. And don’t forget to check the seeds every day. Also, dampen the towels whenever needed.

Planting Pepper Seeds After Sprouting

Till now you read about every possible way of germinating seeds from frozen chilies. But what will happen when they sprout? The time when your seeds sprout or the first true leaf of your chili seed grows, transfer it into a larger container.

When they are small, they can be planted into small plugs or near other seeds. But as the plants grow, they will need more room to spread out their root system. Then you have to take care of the pH levels, water, and also temperature for better germination.

And when you transplant the seeds into a larger plug it will turn into a very healthy plant and be ready to plant in your lovely garden.

A video on pepper seed sprouting quickly:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does freezing kill pepper seeds?

This is not likely to happen in general. But due to incorrect freezing, some seeds might be dying.

What is the ideal temperature to freeze pepper seeds?

If you plan to store the chili pepper seeds in the refrigerator or freezer, it’s important to maintain the temperature well. Temperature between 32 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 5 degrees Celsius is ideal for pepper seeds.

Conclusion

So, will frozen pepper seeds germinate? Yes, they will germinate like usual seeds without any difficulties. In fact, you can sprout frozen pepper seeds like any other normal frozen seeds in several ways like baggie process, sowing direct seeds, cup method, soaking in chamomile tea, freezer method, and more.

All the processes from sprouting frozen chili seeds to planting them are discussed above. Hope you have found the perfect way to sprout your seeds. But the common rule of sprouting chili seeds the right way is to place them in a warm place, around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Also, the sprouting pepper seeds should not be dried, so keep your eyes on them and spray water when you feel they need it. But don’t sprout all the seeds in one way, try different experiments.

A video on frozen pepper seed germination: