Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips

Growing peppers indoors can provide you with a great bounty during any time of year, whether you live in a warmer or colder climate. The plants usually require more care and attention than other fruit and vegetables, but with these guidelines and tips, you’ll be harvesting a great crop year after year.

Choosing & Planting Peppers – Variety Is Key!

When planting peppers indoors, you have more control over the varieties you choose. Think about your family’s tastes, and select elements like color, heat level, sweetness, and size. Choose larger varieties, such as Anaheim peppers or jalapeno peppers, for best results.

When you select your pots or containers to plant your peppers in, you should opt for approximately 12 inches deep and wide, in order to accommodate the plant’s size and growth potential. Choose one large pot or several smaller pots, and fill those with a combination of soil, peat moss, and compost. Plant your pepper seedlings no more than an inch beneath the surface.

Light & Temperature

Whether you’re using natural or artificial light, peppers require plenty of it in order to grow. If you’re using artificial light, a combination of cool white or warm white bulbs for the optimum setup. Make sure that the lights are no more than a few inches away from the plants – it’s important that you adjust the height as the plants grow.

When it comes to temperature, peppers prefer an average of 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Lower nighttime temperatures can be beneficial, so be sure to keep it around 60-65 Fahrenheit.

Fertilizing & Watering

Peppers don’t need to be fertilized since these are slow-growing plants, but you can treat them to a light feeding of organic fertilizer every two weeks. Use a series of diluted nutrient solutions (ask your local gardening center which one is right for your plants) and apply it directly to the soil.

When it comes to watering, keep the soil very moist, but not drenched. Plants that are grown indoors can dry out quickly, so check the soil regularly for dryness. Water thoroughly until it runs out of the drainage holes.

Harvesting & Ripening Peppers

You can usually expect to harvest your peppers within two to four months, depending on the type of variety you planted. When the peppers are mature, they will turn bright red and the flesh will be firm.

If you’re unable to use all of your peppers at once, you can leave some of them on the branch and allow them to ripen further. Make sure you check them every day or two – give them some TLC to maintain the highest quality crop you can produce!

Additional Tips for Growing Peppers Indoors

• Make sure you provide plenty of ventilation and air circulation, as this can help reduce the risk of diseases.
• Regularly check the soil for weeds, which can compete with your pepper plants for nutrients and water.
• If you’re dealing with pests or diseases, treat them – don’t wait until the plants become too damaged to save.

Growing peppers indoors is a great way to enjoy a high-quality crop year-round. By following these guidelines and tips, you’ll be harvesting a great bounty of peppers in no time.