Growing Peppers Indoors – Guidelines & Tips
If you love the flavor of peppers and want to enjoy the taste of home-grown peppers year-round, nothing beats growing them indoors. With the right conditions, peppers can be grown successfully in containers on a kitchen counter or window ledge, making them a great option for urban apartment gardeners.
What You’ll Need
- Containers with drainage holes or a hydroponic system
- High-quality potting soil with a pH of 6-7
- Growth lights
- A fan and humidifier, to replicate the natural environment
- Fertilizers
- Water
Choosing Your Peppers
When selecting your pepper varieties, there are a few things to consider. Sweet peppers are the best option for indoor growing, as they require less light and less maintenance than other varieties. Choose a compact or dwarf variety for the best results.
In terms of heat, bell peppers are on the mild end, while jalapenos are on the spicier side. Peppers with thin walls, such as pimentos and cayennes, are the best for drying. If you’re looking for color, select varieties that come in yellow, orange, and even purple.
Getting Started
Once you have your containers, potting soil, and pepper plants, place the containers in a sunny spot with at least 8 hours of direct light per day. If you live in an area with a short growing season or where sun isn’t plentiful, consider investing in a grow light.
Make sure your containers have sufficient drainage holes, as peppers suffer in overly wet soil. You can also grow your peppers in a hydroponic system, which requires less time and attention and can produce a superior yield. When planting, keep the soil lightly moist but not overly wet.
Maintenance & Care
Once your peppers are growing, they will need to be fertilized every two weeks. Look for a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content, as this is essential for pepper production. A good fertilizer mix should also include nitrogen and potassium.
Peppers also need plenty of water. Aim for a few inches of water per week, especially in hot weather. And make sure your containers have adequate drainage to avoid waterlogging.
Finally, keep the air circulating and humidity in check. Peppers thrive in warm temperatures between 65°F and 80°F, with a relative humidity of 40-60%. Consider using a fan to circulate air, and a humidifier to keep levels from dropping too low.
Harvesting
If you’ve followed the guidelines and provided the right environment for your peppers, you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest. Peppers can take anywhere from 50-90 days to mature, depending on the variety. To harvest, use a sharp knife or scissors to snip individual peppers off the plant.
With the right care and attention, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown peppers year-round. Happy growing!
