Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing peppers indoors can be a great way to add variety to your meals and provide fresh produce year-round. While peppers are traditionally grown outdoors, you can have success growing them in an indoor garden if you follow a few key guidelines. Read on to learn the basics of indoor pepper growing and pick up some helpful tips along the way.

Choosing Your Peppers

When selecting peppers for indoor growing, consider plant varieties that are labeled “mini” or “dwarf,” as these varieties are well-suited for smaller sized pots. Select a mix of sweet peppers and hot peppers for a variety of flavors. Common varieties of sweet peppers include bell pepper, banana pepper, and cherry pepper. Popular varieties of hot peppers include jalapeño, habanero, and ghost pepper.

Planting & Caring for Your Peppers

When potting your peppers, choose a pot that is at least six inches deep and has drainage holes. Use a good quality potting mix and add a slow-release fertilizer to ensure your peppers have the nutrients they need throughout the growing season. As your peppers grow, water them regularly to keep the soil moist. Place the pot near a sunny window to ensure they have adequate sunlight.

To give your peppers plenty of air circulation, consider repotting them into separate pots of the same size. Additionally, pinch off any flowers that form on your pepper plants, as this will help the plants focus their energy on the peppers. As the peppers mature, pick them off the plants and enjoy!

Harvest & Storage Guidelines

When harvesting peppers from your indoor garden, pick peppers that are firm and brightly colored. Whether you plan on eating them right away or storing them for later use, you should never harvest peppers while they are still wet. To store, place peppers in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator and consume within a week.

Benefits of Growing Peppers Indoors

Growing peppers indoors offers many benefits. Not only can you enjoy a bounty of delicious peppers all year round, but you also have complete control over the growing environment. Whether you are growing green peppers, red peppers, or hot peppers, you can rest assured that your peppers will never be exposed to harsh pesticides or chemicals, providing you with a healthier and tastier crop.

Following the guidelines and tips outlined above will ensure you have success with growing peppers indoors. Whether you grow them for yourself or share your peppers with family and friends, you can enjoy the sweet and spicy flavors of homegrown peppers any time of year.