Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Do you want to grow your own peppers but don’t have the space or the climate for an outdoor garden? No problem! Growing peppers indoors allows those with smaller areas to get in on the fun of homegrown peppers. With the right setup, you can grow more than enough peppers to satisfy your cravings.
Choose the Right Variety
Growing peppers indoors requires choosing the right varieties. Since there is no insect pollination indoors, use varieties that produce peppers without the need of bee or insect pollination. These varieties are known as “self-pollinating.” These varieties include bell peppers, Cubanelles, paprika peppers, and more.
Light Requirements
When setting up to grow peppers indoors, the most essential requirement is plenty of light. Place your peppers near a window that provides at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If no such window is available, you can purchase grow lights to simulate the sunlight indoors.
Container Planting
When planting your peppers, be sure to use a container with a depth of at least 6 inches. This allows the pepper roots plenty of room to grow. For best results, use a container with multiple drainage holes in the bottom.
Soil Type
Use a potting mix with plenty of organic matter in it. This will provide a well-draining substrate with essential nutrients for your peppers. Mix in a scoop of compost before planting to provide additional nutrients to your pepper plants.
Watering & Feeding
Peppers require regular water and fertilizer to grow and produce a good yield. Water regularly (the container should be lightly moist to the touch but not soggy) and use a liquid fertilizer formulated for vegetables every two weeks.
Harvesting & Storage
Once your peppers are mature, they are ready to harvest. For long-term storage, pick the peppers when they are still green. Wash and dry thoroughly before storing in a cool, dry place, preferably in the refrigerator.
Following these simple guidelines will help you have a bountiful harvest of home-grown peppers year-round. If you don’t have the space or climate for growing outdoors, don’t worry – growing peppers indoors will give you all the peppers you need!
