Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Growing your own peppers indoors can be a rewarding experience. While you may not be able to grow peppers outdoors due to space or climate restrictions, there are plenty of peppers that can be grown indoors with some basic knowledge and efforts. Here are some tips and guidelines on how to grow peppers indoors successfully.
Choose the Right Variety
The first step to successfully growing peppers indoors is to choose the right variety. Bell peppers, jalapenos, and habaneros are all popular varieties that can be grown indoors, but you will need to choose one that is better suited for the size of your space and how much sunlight you will be able to provide. For example, jalapenos and habaneros require more light than bell peppers, so if you are limited on space and/or sunlight, a bell pepper variety may be the best choice.
Get the Supplies
After selecting your pepper variety, you will need to gather the supplies that you will need to get started growing. You will need a location for your peppers (such as a sunny windowsill or a grow lamp), containers to hold your plants, soil, and fertilizer. If you’re owning your own containers, don’t forget to also grab some potting mix to ensure your peppers get the nutrients they need. Another helpful item is pH soil test strips; these will help you to measure the pH of your soil and ensure that your peppers get the right amounts of nutrients.
Planting & Caring for Your Peppers
Once you have your supplies gathered, it’s time to plant your peppers. You can purchase pepper seedlings, or start from seeds. Plant your peppers in the containers, being sure to cover the tops of the containers with plastic wrap to help keep in the moisture. Place your containers in the sunny location you have chosen or beneath your grow light, and water your peppers when the soil is dry. Add fertilizer to the soil once in awhile, and use the pH soil test strips to make sure you are providing the right amounts of nutrients.
Harvesting & Storing Peppers
When your peppers are fully ripened, it’s time to harvest! Depending on the type of pepper, they can be harvested when fully ripened or when they are still green- either way, you will be able to enjoy your homegrown peppers. To store peppers, you can either leave them on the vine and harvest as you need them or you can pick all of them and store them in a cool, dry place.
Growing peppers indoors can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it does require a bit of effort. Be sure to follow these guidelines and tips for a successful, fruitful harvest.
