Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Do you love the taste of peppers, but hate the cost of buying them in the store? Why not try growing your own peppers indoors? It may seem daunting at first, but with the right instructions and a little bit of work, it’s totally doable! Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Choose the Right Variety

When selecting peppers for your indoor garden, choose small-fruited varieties such as Anaheim, Jalapeno, or Serrano. These peppers grow better in a confined area than larger varieties. Determine whether you’d like to plant from seed or start your plant from an existing pepper. Choose seeds that are specifically labeled for indoor growing.

Choose the Right Container

Find a container that’s 12 inches wide and at least 10 inches deep. A container less than one gallon may be too small, while anything larger than five gallons can become too heavy to move indoors if necessary. To provide good drainage, make sure the pot has drainage holes. If it doesn’t, you can drill some yourself.

Select the Right Soil

For peppers to thrive indoors, you’ll need to find potting soil that is light and airy. Add 5-10% sand or perlite to give your soil better drainage and increased aeration. Additionally, add a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to ensure your peppers get the nutrients they need to grow.

Provide Proper Lighting

Most peppers need about six hours of light for healthy growth. Place your pepper plant in a spot that gets direct sun for several hours per day. If you can’t find an indoor spot that gets enough sun, look into purchasing supplemental lighting that provides the necessary spectrum of light for your plant.

Care for Your Pepper

Water your pepper plant when the top inch of soil is dry. In other words, water when you see the soil beginning to pull away from the sides of the pot. Provide your plant with regular fertilizer every two weeks. If the leaves begin to yellow, put them in the trash, as they can suck energy away from the other healthier leaves.

With a bit of knowledge, a little bit of work, and a lot of patience, you can start growing peppers indoors! If you follow the guidelines and tips above, you’ll be enjoying a harvest of healthy peppers in no time.