Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing peppers indoors can be a great hobby to take part in and even an interesting activity to involve the whole family in. Peppers are a food staple in many households and cooking dishes, and growing them at home can not only save you money, but also be an enjoyable way to help your diet. Knowing what kind of equipment you need, and how peppers should be grown will help you grow your own peppers at home.

Choosing the Right Type of Pepper Plant

When it comes to growing peppers indoors, it’s important that you choose the right kind of pepper. Types such as bell peppers and banana peppers are good for indoor growing, since they do not require too much sunlight or space to grow in. Hot peppers, such as jalapenos, are also a good choice for indoor growing, however they can thrive in potentially drier climates than bell peppers. Check with your local nursery for more information on what type of pepper would work best for growing indoors.

Preparing Containers for Planting Peppers

Once you decide on a type of pepper to grow, the next step is to prepare containers for them. Make sure to purchase containers that are sturdy and at least 6 inches deep—deeper containers give the roots extra space to grow. Make sure the containers have good drainage holes, and consider adding plastic mesh or gravel to the bottom of the containers to increase the drainage capability. Fill the containers with a good, nutrient-rich soil, and water it until it is well-saturated.

Planting the Seeds

Once you’re done prepping the containers, it’s time to start planting the pepper seeds. Plant two to three seeds per container, no deeper than a quarter of an inch into the soil. Peppers need full sunlight and enough space to grow, so place the containers in a sunny spot, where they’ll get at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. Make sure the containers are kept at least 6 inches away from each other and other nearby objects. This will help ensure your peppers receive maximum sunlight.

Caring for the Pepper Plants

Now for the fun part; it’s time to take care of your pepper plants! Make sure to water your pepper plants regularly, providing enough water daily so that the soil is consistently moist. Pepper plants tend to do well with a water soluble fertilizer, which you should apply every two weeks. If your plants start to wilt, move them to a sunnier spot and increase the amount of water they’re getting.

Harvesting Peppers

Depending on what type of pepper you’ve chosen to grow, it will take some weeks for the peppers to mature. Once the peppers ripen, cut them free from the plant and store them in a cool, dry place. Enjoy your peppery bounty and consider saving a few of the seeds for the next season!