Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing your own peppers indoors is simpler than it may seem and can provide great rewards. Peppers aren’t only a fun plant to form and develop, they’re also a delicious addition to salads, soups, and various other dishes. To learn how to best grow peppers indoors, follow these key guidelines & tips:

Choose the Right Kind of Plant

There are countless varieties of peppers that you can try, ranging from sweet to hot varieties. Sweet peppers like bells and pimentos often do best when growing indoors, since they require a less intense light and don’t require as much supplemental heat. Hot peppers like jalapenos, habaneros, and tabascos tend to do better outdoors. If you decide to grow hot peppers indoors, you’ll need to provide extra heat and light to make up for what the natural environment would usually give them.

Choose the Right Pot Size and Soil Type

Your peppers will need to be potted in either a small pot or a hanging basket. If you’re growing hot peppers, you’ll want to use a 1-2 gallon container. For sweet peppers, you can use a pot that is about 6 inches in diameter. Both hot and sweet peppers need a loamy soil that has good drainage. You can buy pre-made potting soil from a nursery or hardware store, or make your own by combining equal parts compost, vermiculite, and potting soil.

Position Your Plants Properly

Place the peppers in a sunny spot, but not in direct sun. A heat mat can help the plants produce more fruit and allows you to extend the growing season. For extra warmth in cooler climates, cover the soil with black plastic to retain heat. Place the peppers in a south-facing window to get as much sunlight as possible.

Water & Feed Regularly

Peppers need at least 1-2 inches of water per week. They also need to be fed regularly with a diluted solution of liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. To avoid over-watering, make sure the soil is dry to the touch before you water it again.

Harvest Your Peppers

When picking peppers, use scissors or pruning shears to snip the pepper from the plant. Make sure you don’t pull on the plant, as this could damage its fragile stems. Gently remove peppers that are fully mature and ready to eat.

By following these tips, you can successfully grow your own peppers indoors to enjoy! There are countless varieties of peppers to keep your garden interesting, and growing your own peppers at home can provide you with delicious and fresh peppers year round.