Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Growing peppers indoors is a great way to enjoy the bounty of the garden year-round, even if you don’t have access to outdoor space. Knowing the best strategies for success can help you harvest a rich crop of peppers from your home garden. Here are some guidelines and tips for growing peppers indoors:
Choose the Right Variety
When planning your indoor pepper garden, it’s important to select the right variety for the space you have. If you’re limited on space, look for compact varieties like Jalapenos, Serranos, or banana peppers. These can be grown indoors in containers as small as 10 inches in diameter. For larger spaces, look for longer season peppers like Anaheim or Bell peppers.
Provide Adequate Light
Providing adequate light is key to successfully growing peppers indoors. Look for a grow lamp designed for fluorescent bulbs in a warm spectrum. Place the light just a few inches away from the plants and raise the lights as the plants grow. Lighting should be on for 14 to 16 hours a day.
Plan for Good Air Circulation
Peppers need good air circulation to grow their best. If you are growing in a window, place a fan to keep air moving around the plants. If you are using a grow light, use an oscillating fan to blow air across the leaves. Regularly check to see if leaves need to be pruned to help air circulation.
Feed & Water Regularly
It’s important to regularly feed and water your peppers. Feed with a fertilizer for fruit and vegetable plants. Water when the top of the soil feels dry. Water deeply to encourage root growth and water from the bottom up if possible to reduce chances of fungal diseases.
Protect Your Peppers
Watch out for pests and diseases. Natural pesticides like neem oil can help prevent infestations. Check your plants regularly and if you see signs of disease, treat as soon as possible.
Following these guidelines and tips can help you have a successful pepper garden indoors. With a little effort, you can enjoy delicious peppers year-round right from your home.
