Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Peppers can be one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow indoors. With a little bit of effort and care, you can grow vibrant, delicious peppers as an indoor crop year round. Here are some guidelines and tips to get you started.

Select Your Plant

When selecting your pepper plant, it’s important to choose one that is well-suited for indoor growing. Generally, plants with smaller, compact shapes tend to thrive better indoors. Try looking for varieties with thick walls and short internodes. These types of plants will be easier to manage in a small indoor garden.

Choose the Right Container

You’ll need a pot that is at least 5 to 6 inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the pepper plant’s root system. It’s important that your pot has drainage holes to let excess water out. If you don’t have a large enough pot, you can use several smaller pots connected by a drainage tray. If drainage is not adequate, the roots can become waterlogged, causing the plant to die.

Watering & Fertilizing

Water your pepper plants regularly but make sure you aren’t overwatering them. Check the soil by sticking your finger in it before watering. If the soil feels dry at least 2 inches below the surface, it’s time to water. You can also fertilize every two weeks during the growing season for an extra nutritional boost.

Lighting Requirements

Peppers need about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive indoors. If you don’t have access to natural sunlight, you can use a grow light to provide the necessary amount of light. Move your plants around to ensure even lighting on all sides.

Pruning & Pollination

Despite being a productive plant, peppers don’t need to be pruned, but you may find that it can help create a healthier plant. Pruning allows more light to reach all parts of the plant, which encourages better growth. Since there aren’t any bees indoors to pollinate your peppers, you’ll need to do it manually with a Q-tip or cotton swab. Simply brush the Q-tip against the inside of the blossom, collecting pollen, and then brush it onto the stigma of another blossom.

Harvesting

Harvest your peppers when they reach their full size and color. Gently twist the pepper off the stem and remove it. With some varieties, such as bell peppers, you can also pick them when they are immature for a different flavor. Fresh peppers can be eaten right away or stored in a cool, dry place.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a rewarding way to add some delicious veggies to your indoor garden, look no further than peppers! Follow the guidelines and tips outlined in this article to get started and before long you’ll be harvesting peppers in no time.