Growing Peppers Indoors: Guidelines & Tips
Harvesting your own peppers indoors can be a win-win situation: you get to enjoy fresh homegrown peppers while keeping the convenience of growing the plants indoors. While there are some things that need to be considered, peppers can certainly be grown indoors. Here are a few guidelines and tips to help you get started growing your own peppers indoors.
Climate, Airflow, & Light
Before choosing pepper varieties, you should think about the climate and airflow in the room you plan to keep your peppers in. Peppers prefer high humidity and warm temperatures, so you will need to create an environment conducive to these needs. Installing fans and/or air conditioning units would be beneficial if you live in a hot, dry climate. Adequate light is also a must for pepper plants to thrive indoors. Aim to get the plants at least 6 hours of indirect or direct sunlight daily.
Container Type & Planting Method
When selecting a container, look for one with enough room for proper aeration and drainage. It should also be deep enough for the pepper plants to thrive. Peppers prefer soil that is rich in organic matter, so be sure to use a potting mix specifically formulated for vegetables. Finally, consider the planting method when setting up your pepper plants. When growing a single pepper plant, the traditional method works well: plant the seed 1/2 inch deep and be sure to keep the soil moist. For multiple pepper plants, you may find it beneficial to try a spacing method or tower method for more efficient use of space, soil, and resources.
Water & Fertilizer
Peppers need regular water, but be careful not to overwater! Overwatering can damage the pepper plants and reduce your harvest. When planting, help the soil stay moist by adding a layer of mulch or peat moss to the surface. Additionally, using a liquid fertilizer every few weeks can further help pepper plants to thrive. Consider using an organic fertilizer specifically formulated for peppers, as this will ensure that the plants get all the nutrition they need.
Harvesting, Storing, & Enjoying Your Peppers
As the peppers reach maturity, use a pair of scissors to snip each pepper from the stem. Be sure to handle the peppers carefully as they are quite delicate. After harvesting, store the peppers in the fridge for up to 7 days. Enjoy your homegrown peppers raw in salads, sandwiches, or salsa, or kick it up a notch by frying them in some olive oil. No matter how you choose to eat them, you can be assured that you are consuming fresh, homegrown peppers!
With some planning, attention to detail, and a bit of green thumb, you can easily enjoy a bounty of peppers inside your own home. No matter your experience level, growing peppers indoors can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
