Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing peppers indoors can be a rewarding, delicious, and fun project! With the right set up, you can enjoy growing bell peppers, jalapeños, and more inside. Let’s explore the guidelines and tips you need to successfully grow peppers indoors.

Choosing Your Growing Environment

First, you’ll need to consider the environment in which you’ll be growing the peppers. For successful results, you’ll want to pick a location that receives plenty of natural light, such as a sunny east/south facing window. If your indoor area doesn’t get enough natural light, then you may need to purchase an additional grow light.

Selecting Seeds & Species

Now that you’ve picked the perfect spot, you’ll need to decide which type of peppers to grow. Most peppers can be grown indoors including bell peppers, jalapeños, poblanos, and more. Choose seeds from your favorite varieties, as this will guide the flavor and types of peppers you’ll ultimately be harvesting.

Planting Seeds

Once you’ve chosen your seeds you can begin the planting process. Start by filling each of your containers with light potting soil, adding enough to fill the container to just above the lip of the pot. Place two to three seeds in each pot, pressing the seeds firmly into the soil, leaving no more than 1/4 inch of space between them. Then, water the pot until the soil is evenly moist. Avoid “soaking” the soil, as this can hinder the seed germination.

Maintenance & Care

Now that your seeds are in the soil, you can start maintenance and care. Your peppers will need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day, so move the pots to a sunny window or to the light source of your grow light. Once a week, check the soil to make sure it’s evenly moist. As your peppers starts to grow, be sure to support the stems with bamboo stalks or stakes. This will help your peppers stay upright as they grow.

Harvesting & Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor

Finally, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor! Once the peppers reach desired size, you can gently pluck them from the plant. You can also leave the peppers to fully ripen on the plant, harvesting them when they turn deep red. Once harvested or picked, you can rinse the peppers in cold water and enjoy with other dishes!

Conclusion

Growing peppers indoors is a great way to enjoy the fruits of your labor, year round. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced green thumb, follow the guidelines and tips outlined above to maximize your chances of success. From selecting the right environment, to harvesting, you’re sure to have a rewarding and fun experience.