Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing a pepper plant indoors can be a rewarding experience, as you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor every time you cook your meals. From mild bell peppers to hot habaneros, the variety of peppers you can cultivate indoors is seemingly endless. Follow these guidelines and tips to create an effective pepper-growing environment indoors.

Environmental Considerations

Pepper plants love heat, and they need to be positioned in a sunny spot with lots of indirect light. It’s best to keep the temperature between 70 – 85°F to ensure optimal growth. You should also keep humidity levels high, as peppers like to stay in areas with humidity levels of 50% and higher. Since peppers have shallow roots, they need frequent watering. To create humidity, set your plants in trays with water and try to keep the soil relatively moist.

Choosing Pot Varieties

When selecting a pot for your pepper plant, it’s important to factor in the room’s airflow. Terracotta pots tend to be the best for absorbing heat but they also come with the disadvantage of drying out the soil quickly. On the other hand, plastic pots are better for retaining soil moisture. However, make sure to choose a pot with at least 4–5 drainage holes to prevent waterlogging of the soil.

Soil & Fertilizers

For peppers, it’s best to use a potting soil that’s rich in moisture and drains well. You can also mix some store-bought compost into your potting soil to create an optimal nutrient-rich growing medium. Fertilizers can be added as peppers prefer a higher nitrogen-rich environment. Look for those that are formulated especially for veggies.

Harvesting Peppers

Don’t pluck any peppers until they’re fully ripe, usually marked by a bright color (e.g. red, yellow, green). To harvest, carefully twist and remove the pepper from the stem. If the pepper won’t easily come off, use a pair of shears to cut it from the stem.

Propagation & Replanting

You can keep the pepper plant alive for years by taking stem cuttings every few months and replanting them. To do this, carefully snip off a 3-4 inch stem from the main plant. Place your cutting in a small pot filled with soil and water it regularly for the first few weeks.

Conclusion

Growing peppers indoors requires patience and a good eye for careful monitoring. Keeping an optimal temperature and humidity level is key for thriving pepper plants. To harvest successfully, make sure to wait until your peppers are fully ripened before plucking them off the stem. Finally, regular stem cuttings will help you extend the lifespan of your pepper plant beyond the growing season.