Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing peppers indoors can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. With a little help from the right guidelines and tips, you can harvest a steady supply of sweet, juicy peppers right in your home. Read on to get your pepper-growing project off the ground.

Choosing Your Varieties

The first step in growing peppers indoors is to decide which variety or varieties you want to grow. The most popular sweet peppers are bell peppers, but there are hundreds of kinds of pepper plants to choose from, including hot varieties like the jalapeno and habanero. For indoor gardening, choose pepper varieties that are compact and will produce in cooler temperatures.

Prepping the Containers

Choose containers according to the size and requirements of the particular pepper plants you are growing. Containers should be at least 12-18 inches deep and 8-12 inches wide. Use a good quality potting soil and fill the containers almost to the top with it. Make sure to poke drainage holes in the bottom for water drainage.

Location, Lighting & Temperature

Because of how sensitive pepper plants can be to extreme temperatures, you will want to be sure you find a location inside your home that is warm yet also gets plenty of light. If you have a south-facing window, that is ideal for growing peppers. Peppers need up to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. You can supplement direct sunlight with artificial light sources, such as fluorescent lights. Keep temperatures above 65 degrees F and below 75 degrees F for the best results.

Water & Fertilizer

Water your pepper plants regularly, keeping the soil slightly moist but not soggy. You may need to water them more often in hot, humid climates. Fertilize the plants every month or two with liquid fertilizer, and check for signs of pests or disease. You may need to add insecticidal soap or antifungal treatments if necessary.

Harvesting & Storing Your Peppers

Harvest your peppers when they are full-grown but still green in color. Cut them off the plant carefully with a knife and store them in the refrigerator. They can last for weeks if stored properly. If you want to use them right away, you can also roast or grill them for an extra zesty flavor.

Conclusion

With the right guidelines and tips, you can successfully grow a variety of peppers indoors all year round. Choose the right variety for your needs, provide proper lighting, temperature, water and fertilizer, and get ready to enjoy a steady supply of sweet, juicy peppers right in your own home!