Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Growing peppers indoors can be an exciting and rewarding experience all year round! Peppers are easy to grow indoors with a few simple guidelines and tips.
Choosing a Variety of Pepper
When it comes to growing peppers indoors, the variety you choose is a major factor. Some peppers varieties are better suited for indoor growing than others. Try to choose a variety that is compact in size and produces a good amount of peppers in a small area. Compact varieties can be planted close together and have short harvest times. Good choices for indoors include:
- Jalapeños
- Poblano
- Bell peppers
- Cayenne
- Habanero
Starting the Seeds
When starting pepper seeds, it’s important to keep them indoors in a warm and bright environment. Pepper seeds need temperatures between 65-85°F to germinate. After the seeds have germinated, you can move them to a spot that has bright, indirect light. When the peppers have sprouted at least two to three sets of true leaves, it’s time to transplant them to a larger pot.
Transplanting to a Larger Pot
When the peppers have sprouted, it’s time to move them to a larger pot. Make sure the pot is the proper size for the size of your pepper plants. Put a thin layer of potting soil in the bottom of the pot, then transplant the pepper plants into the soil. When transplanting the peppers, make sure the root ball is not disturbed too much.
Bring the Heat & Keep the Soil Moist
Peppers need warmth and consistent soil moisture in order to grow and produce peppers. Try to keep the soil temperature between 70-85°F to promote healthy, steady growth. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and water when the top inch of soil is dry. A heat mat can be a great way to keep the soil temperature consistent.
Fertilizing & Harvest Time
Fertilizing peppers helps to make sure they have enough nutrients to grow and produce peppers. Using an organic fertilizer is highly recommended. When harvest time rolls around, check the peppers daily and make sure the skins are clean and free of blemishes. Peppers can be picked when they have achieved full color and are firm to the touch.
Growing peppers indoors requires some patience, but can be a highly rewarding experience. With these simple guidelines and tips, you’ll be well on your way to having a harvest of peppers in no time!
