Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Introduction

Growing peppers indoors can be an immensely rewarding experience. Not only do peppers bring a delicious variety to the home chef’s dinner plate, but the vibrant colors add a decorative element to any indoor garden. Growing peppers indoors requires just a few steps – read our guidelines and tips to get started.

Steps for Growing Peppers Indoors

Choose a Container

Start by choosing a container for your pepper plants. Peppers need plenty of room to grow, so choose one that is at least 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) wide and 12 inches (30 cm) deep. A container with a drainage hole is essential to protect against overwatering.

Purchase Potting Soil

Next, you’ll need to purchase potting soil for your pepper plants. Select a potting soil that is specifically formulated for vegetable plants, as this will provide the best drainage and nutrient amounts for the peppers.

Choose the Right Pepper Type

While it’s possible to grow most pepper varieties indoors, it’s important to select a type that is suited to an indoor growing environment. Choose varieties that don’t require much space or staking, such as jalapenos, habaneros, bird’s eye, cascabels, and cayenne peppers.

Keep the Peppers Warm

Since peppers favor warm climates, it is best to position the container near a south-facing window or other warm area of the room. If temperatures are too low, the peppers will not produce blooms. Aim to maintain an indoor temperature between 19-27 degrees Celsius (66-80 degrees Fahrenheit).

Provide Plenty of Light

Peppers need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If this is not possible, you can supplement with artificial lights, such as LED strips or grow lights.

Feed and Water

Since pepper plants have to produce fruit, ensure that the plants are adequately fed with a liquid fertilizer. Water regularly but not too often – wait for the soil to dry before watering again.

Tips for Growing Peppers Indoors

Rotate Your Peppers

Rotating the peppers regularly will help the plants receive an even amount of light and avoid becoming lopsided.

Keep Growing New Plants

Continue to purchase and plant new pepper varieties throughout the season. This will ensure that the peppers ripen at different times, giving you a longer harvest window.

Check for Diseases & Pests

Be sure to check your pepper plants regularly for signs of disease and pests. Remove any infected foliage to reduce the chance of spreading the disease to other plants.

Summary

Growing peppers indoors can be a rewarding experience with delicious results. Follow our guidelines and tips to get started – choose the right container and soil, select pepper varieties that are suited to an indoor growing environment, keep the peppers warm, provide plenty of light, and feed and water regularly. Rotate the plants regularly, keep growing new plants, and check for diseases and pests to ensure a successful pepper harvest.