The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds of young finger pepper during ontogenesis and rest after harvest. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five replications. The treatments consisted of the harvest of the fruit at 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days after anthesis (DAA), and two rest conditions: no rest and post-harvest resting for 10 days. The seeds were evaluated for water content, dry mass of the seeds, germination, first germination count (germination energy) and germination speed index. The harvesting period and the post-harvest resting period of the fruits affect the physiological quality of the “Dedo-de-moça” pepper seeds. Seeds with maximum physiological quality (germination and strength) and dry matter are obtained with fruits harvested between 70 and 80 days after anthesis. The post-harvest resting period of fruits allows the anticipation of the harvest to 57 days after the anthesis, without compromising the physiological quality of the seeds.