Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

If you’re an avid gardener looking for ways to continue your passion year-round, then growing peppers indoors may be just the challenge you are looking for. Peppers are a delicious and nutritious addition to many dishes and they’re relatively easy to grow, even in an indoor setting.

Choosing Your Pepper Variety

When it comes to planting peppers indoors, it’s important to know that some varieties are better suited for this task than others. Generally speaking, smaller varieties of peppers are the best choice for growing indoors; they won’t take up much room and are usually quite hardy. Some good varieties to consider include Anaheim peppers, jalapeno peppers, habanero peppers, serrano peppers, and cherry peppers.

Gathering Supplies

Once you’ve decided on the varieties of peppers you want, it’s time to gather your supplies. Of course, you’ll need pepper seeds. You’ll also need some good-quality potting soil, along with a container to plant your peppers in. Select a pot or container with plenty of drainage holes, as you don’t want your plants to be standing in water.

Planting Peppers Indoors

Once you have your supplies, you’ll be ready to plant your pepper seeds. Fill your container with a good quality potting soil, then place your seeds in the soil’s surface. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and gently press them into the soil to ensure good contact. Finally, water the soil lightly.

Caring for Your Peppers

Your peppers will need adequate light, water, and air circulation for healthy growth. Place your peppers near a sunny, south-facing window or invest in additional lighting to provide 12-14 hours of light per day. Water your peppers when the soil feels dry to the touch, but don’t water them excessively to prevent root rot. If possible, open a window near your pepper plants to provide some air circulation.

Harvesting Your Peppers

Most varieties of peppers will be ready to harvest in 2-3 months after planting. You’ll know they’re ready when the peppers have reached their desired size and their color has changed to a darker hue. Cut each pepper off of the plant with scissors or a sharp knife and enjoy your harvest.

Growing peppers indoors is a fun and rewarding experience that requires very little effort. Give it a try today and you might just be surprised by the results!