Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
Do you love crisp, spicy peppers, but don’t have the outdoor space or climate to grow them? You can still enjoy the delightful flavors of homegrown peppers indoors! With proper know-how and environment, it’s possible to grow and harvest your own peppers, even in the comfort of your own home. Here’s how.
Find the Right Varieties of Pepper Plants
When growing peppers indoors, your selection of plants is somewhat limited. Because you’ll be relying on artificial light and keeping the plants in containers, the most suitable types are compact, heat-loving varieties such as:
- Bishop’s Crown
- California Wonder
- Jamaica Red Hot
- Cherry Bomb
- Chilly Chili
- Lemon Drop
Choose the Best Containers
When it comes to selecting containers, the main consideration is drainage. It’s absolutely essential that your peppers’ roots are not waterlogged, so make sure the containers you select are deep enough to provide good drainage. You can either choose pots made from plastic, terracotta, or even wood, and these can be from 2-3 gallons in volume.
Pick the Right Soil
For best results, it’s recommended to use a soil-less growing medium. Any product that can hold moisture and provide adequate air circulation will do the job just fine. If you’d much rather use garden soil, make sure it is light and well-draining.
Install the Right Lighting
Pepper plants need sunlight or other artificial light to thrive indoors. You’ll need to install lights with a full-spectrum LED or a combination of cool white and warm white bulbs. Keep the lights on for 15-17 hours a day, and place the peppers relatively close to the light source, around 6-8” away.
Monitor Water and Temperature Levels
Most types of pepper will do best when the temperature is between 60-80°F during the day, and 50-75°F at night. If your home is colder than this, you may want to purchase a small space heater to keep the air warm enough. As for watering, only water your peppers when the soil is dry. Avoid over-watering, as this can damage the roots and lead to root rot.
Monitor for Pests and Diseases
Bugs and other pests may try to get to your peppers, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs. If you spot any disease or pests, raise the humidity levels and reduce the light levels until the plants recover. If the infestation gets too bad, then you may need to discard the peppers.
Harvest your Peppers
You should start to see the fruits of your labor after 5-7 weeks. The peppers will be ready to harvest when they are plump, round, and firm. Simply twist the peppers off the plant, or cut them with scissors. Enjoy the delicious flavors of your homegrown peppers straight away!
With a regular schedule, the right pots, soil, and light, you’ll be able to enjoy the delicious flavors of homegrown peppers year-round! For more information on growing peppers indoors, checkout Gardeners.com. With the tips covered above, you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour with a delicious homegrown pepper harvest in no time.
