Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Growing pepper plants indoors can be a great way to supplement your diet by harvesting your own fresh, organic produce. Peppers come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and flavors, ranging from sweet bell peppers to spicy jalapeños. As a home gardener, it’s important to choose varieties of peppers that are particularly suited for being grown indoors. Here are some guidelines and tips to help you get started!
Choosing Your Peppers
No matter your climate, peppers grown inside the home should feature shorter maturation periods because they will receive limited light and have less available space. Habanero and cayenne peppers, for example, might take too long to mature in a pot inside a home. Gradual ripening peppers, like bell or Hungarian peppers, are your best bet.
Container & Soil Choices
Choose a pot that is broad, but not deep. Plastic pots are lightweight and easily available at most nurseries, but glazed clay pots are more attractive. Peppers love well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients. A good soil can be made out of equal parts peat moss, composted manure, and vermiculite or perlite.
Light Requirements
The optimal growing environment for peppers is one that is bright and sunny, with 6 to 8 hours of light per day. Provide your peppers with enough natural light if possible or use grow lights for indoor gardeners. Position the light source above the leaves instead of the soil and move the plants weekly to ensure that all the leaves are getting equal exposure.
Water & Climate
Water your pepper plants on a regular schedule to ensure that the soil is moist but never soggy. Peppers prefer a warm climate so keep them in a warm area, away from any cold drafts or air-conditioning vents.
Harvest & Storage
Harvest peppers when they are ripe. This can be determined by size, color, and texture of each pepper. Ripe peppers should be picked promptly to prevent them from over-ripening and splitting open. You can store harvested peppers in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Growing peppers indoors is a great way to enjoy fresh, organic peppers year-round! With the right environment and attentive care, your indoor pepper plants can thrive and produce lots of delicious fruits for your recipes!
