Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Growing peppers indoors can be a great way to add spice and flavour to any home-cooked dish. Not only are peppers unique in taste, but they make an aesthetically pleasing addition to any indoor garden. With the right plan and strategy, peppers can thrive indoors all year round. Here we provide some guidelines and tips to consider when growing peppers indoors.
Types of Peppers
When growing peppers indoors, you should consider what kind of peppers you would like to grow. There are various types of peppers that can be grown indoors, such as bell peppers, tabasco peppers, and jalapenos. Choose pepper varieties that are considered to be ‘dwarf’ as these are better suited for growing in small pots. Make sure to get seeds or seedlings that are meant for indoor growing.
Light Requirements
Peppers need a lot of light in order to thrive indoors. To ensure your peppers get enough sunlight, position your pot near a south-facing window or get a powerful grow light for extra lighting. It’s essential to keep the pepper plant in a sunny spot at least 8 hours a day to prevent it from getting overly wilted or leggy.
Soil & Temperature
To ensure your pepper plants grow and produce fruit, use a nutrient-rich soil mix that is well-draining. The soil should be kept consistently moist, but not overly wet. Peppers like temperatures of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be easily achieved indoors with the help of a temperature controller.
Fertilizer & Watering
Ensure you use a fertilized potting soil mix that is rich in phosphorus and calcium. Peppers tend to be heavy feeders and require frequent fertilizing. Every two weeks, you should feed your pepper plants using a diluted sodium-based fertilizer. Be sure to always water your pepper plants evenly. Over-watering or under-watering can cause pepper plants to die.
Harvesting
Allow pepper plants to reach their full maturity before harvesting. As peppers reach maturity, they will turn their final colour (green, red, orange, etc.). Early harvesting can result in underdeveloped peppers. When harvesting, be sure to use a sharp knife and cut peppers off the plant, being careful not to damage the stem or any other existing fruits.
By following these guidelines and tips, you can successfully grow peppers indoors in any space. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, growing peppers indoors can bring you a rewarding harvest of flavourful peppers, all year round.
