Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing peppers indoors is a great way to enjoy fresh produce year-round. Peppers are a low-maintenance crop that are easy to care for as long as you know the basics. Follow these simple guidelines and tips to have the best success growing peppers indoors.

Select the Right Pepper Varieties

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to pepper varieties when growing indoors. Finding the right pepper to grow indoors will largely depend on the amount of space and light available in your home. Smaller varieties such as bell peppers or jalapeños are suitable for confined spaces as they take up less room and require less light, whereas varieties such as cayenne peppers or habanero peppers thrive when grown in a full-sun area.

Maintain an Ideal Temperature

Peppers are a warm-weather crop, and temperatures should stay consistent between 65°F and 80°F (18°C – 27°C) with a minimum night temperature of 55°F (13°C). To ensure an optimum growing environment, consider investing in a thermostat or room thermometer to monitor temperatures and a fan to assist with air circulation.

Provide Optimal Light

While peppers prefer a warm climate, they also require plenty of sunlight. Place indoor plants near a south-facing window or in an area that gets 6-8 hours of sun every day. If you don’t have enough natural light, you can supplement with artificial light, such as grow lights or fluorescent bulbs.

Keep Soil Moist, but Not Too Wet

It’s important to keep pepper plants moist without over-watering. Too much water will drown the roots and lead to root rot. Instead, water plants when the soil feels dry to the touch, and be sure the pot has adequate drainage.

Provide Adequate Fertilizer

Indoor pepper plants need a consistent supply of nutrients to continue producing fruits. A good fertilizer should contain a mix of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in the right proportions to ensure unprecedented growth. Only fertilize when the pepper plants are actively growing, usually from spring until fall.

Keep Plants From Crowding

Make sure the pepper plants have adequate space and air circulation. Overcrowding will cause the plants to compete for resources and sunlight, leading to disease and stunted growth. To prevent this, thin plants so the remaining peppers are spaced at least 6 inches apart.

Growing peppers indoors can be fun and rewarding. Just follow these simple guidelines and tips and you’ll soon be harvesting your very own home-grown peppers!