Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing peppers indoors can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Not only is it a fun activity for gardeners of all levels, but it’s also a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables all year round. Peppers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, so there’s always something new to try. Here are some guidelines and tips for growing peppers indoors successfully.

Select Your Seeds

When selecting seeds, look for varieties specifically labeled as suited for indoor growing. You’ll also want to decide if you’d prefer sweet or hot peppers. Some examples of popular sweet peppers for indoors include Mini Bell, Sweet Banana, and Gypsy. If you’d like to try hot peppers, Caloro, Jalapeno, and Habanero are some popular varieties.

Choose the Right Containers

Peppers need approximately eight inches of soil to grow, so containers should be at least 10 to 12 inches deep. You can also pair multiple peppers together in one large container as long as there’s enough room for them to grow, or try planting them in individual pots. Whatever you choose, make sure the pot has several drainage holes to ensure your peppers get enough water without getting waterlogged.

Provide Proper Lighting

Your peppers need at least eight hours of sun each day, so place them near a sunny window. If you don’t have a window with that much direct sunlight, you can supplement with grow lights. Set them up right above the plants and leave them on for 15 to 18 hours each day. Led lights work well for this purpose and won’t heat up the room like other lighting options.

Water Regularly

Keep the soil moist at all times, but don’t over-water. If the top inch of soil feels dry, it’s time to water. Allow the soil to dry out slightly in between waterings and make sure the container has adequate drainage. Over-watering can cause root rot and stunt the growth of your peppers.

Fertilize Occasionally

Feed your peppers with a balanced fertilizer every month during the active growing season. During the winter months, fertilize every other month or not at all. You don’t want to over-fertilize, as it can burn the leaves of the peppers and cause the soil to become overly acidic.

Harvest & Enjoy

After about 75-90 days, your peppers will be ready to harvest. To determine if they’re ripe, lightly squeeze the pepper. If it’s firm and only slightly yields to pressure, it’s ripe and ready to be picked. Enjoy your fresh peppers right away, or store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Growing peppers indoors can be an easy and satisfying endeavor if you follow these guidelines and tips. With the right amount of sunlight, water, and care, you’ll soon have plenty of fresh peppers to enjoy!