Planting Bell and Hot Peppers Together: Cross-Pollination Myths

Cross-Pollination Doesn't Affect Current Fruit

Peppers are self-pollinating. Even if a hot pepper pollinates a bell pepper, the fruit's flavor and heat are determined by the mother plant's genetics. Only the seeds would carry mixed traits.

Only a Concern for Seed Savers

If you save seeds year to year, cross-pollination could produce variable offspring. For fresh eating, plant them side by side with no worries.