Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Do you enjoy the nutty, earthy flavor of peppers but have limited outdoor space for gardening? Growing peppers indoors can still yield a generous amount of produce! With the proper care, varieties, and supplies, you’ll be snacking on delicious peppers in no time.
Supplies Needed for Growing Peppers Indoors
Growing peppers indoors requires some basic supplies:
- Containers at least 6 inches deep with proper drainage holes
- Potting soil
- Fertilizer
- Enough indirect bright light to cover the surface area of the plants
Types of Peppers to Grow Indoors
The types of peppers you can grow indoors are mostly the small, sweeter varieties such as jalapenos, habaneros, and chipotles. Even though their size may be small, their heat can still be quite significant. To ensure a sizable yield, hybrid varieties of peppers are best suited for indoor gardening. Consider purchasing pre-started pepper plants, as starting from seeds can be tricky indoors.
Guidelines for Growing Peppers Indoors
After gathering all the necessary materials, follow these steps to succeed in your pepper growing adventures:
- Fill containers with potting soil to at least 6 inches in depth and give them ample drainage holes. Poke a few holes in the bottom to allow extra water to rest. Peppers need strong root systems to survive, so use the best soil that can provide this.
- Place pepper plants in the best warm spot that is exposed to at least 6 hours of indirect light. If possible, use grow lights to supplement natural light exposure.
- Water peppers about twice a week. Let soil dry slightly before watering again. If using liquid fertilizer, mix it into the water used for watering your pepper plants.
- Provide adequate ventilation and air flow to pepper plants. If your peppers look like they are wilting or drooping, they may need more airflow to feel better. Consider using a fan to increase airflow.
- Harvest your peppers when they reach the desired flavor and spiciness. Generally, a pepper’s spice level increases with age.
Additional Pepper Tips
- Pest-proof your containers to keep aphids, mites, and thrips at bay.
- Place growing peppers out of reach of pets, as they are mildly toxic to them.
- Regularly check peppers for diseases or pests, and prune any dead stems or leaves.
- Caring for indoor peppers isn’t much different than caring for outdoor peppers, it just requires a close eye and more attention to details.
Now that you have all the basics to grow peppers indoors, go out and get creative with your pepper garden! With a bit of patience and proper care, you’ll have a delicious harvest of peppers to enjoy. Bon Appetite!
