How to grow peppers in 11 steps
With the cold season approaching, many of us may feel sad that the time for planting and harvesting is over for now. However, fortunately, it is possible to continue to keep some of your garden products alive by transporting them indoors. And if these garden products that you want to keep alive are peppers, this step-by-step guide on how to grow peppers is dedicated to you. Growing peppers indoors may sound easy (and in a way it is), but proper planning is still important. That’s why we’ve made this simple step-by-step guide to growing potted peppers at home, as peppers are quite capable of being grown as a houseplant. In fact, many flower shops sell ornamental peppers that can be grown as houseplants! So, in the spirit of knowing how to grow peppers indoors, let’s see how to set up the ideal place for growing them indoors.
Choose a sunny place
The problem with growing peppers is that people aren’t sure how much light these plants require. Although potted peppers can be grown in direct sunlight for 24 hours, you don’t need to invest in grow lights for peppers indoors. Simply place your paper in a lighted window.
Keep them in a protected space
Do you want to shelter your peppers at home during the winter? To avoid pest problems when growing peppers indoors, be sure to spray the entire plant properly to eliminate any pests that may be hiding in the leaves. So, find a space that isn’t too hot or cold (around 13°C is fine) and that isn’t too humid either. Also, make sure that the peppers cannot be reached by icy winds or drafts.
How to grow peppers in pots
Another problem in growing peppers is the amount of water to be given to the plants. Potted plants will always need more water than those planted on the ground. But your potted peppers will also need room to grow, so get a container that is at least 30cm in diameter. At first, the plant may seem too small for the pot, but trust us, it will soon start growing. Equally important is to make sure that the container has drainage holes in the bottom (if not, make some yourself). This is to ensure that the pepper plant does not drown or rot in its own water, although the soil must remain moist.
Also, opt for a plastic or metal pot instead of terracotta, which tends to dry out much more quicker.
Use well-draining soil
To eliminate most problems associated with growing peppers, opt for potting soil with sufficient drainage, such as planting mix or potting mix. These drain much better than regular garden soil. In fact, when you go shopping for pepper potting soil, look for natural, organic potting soil specially formulated for potted plants, with all the important nutrients already added to the mix. With the right potting soil, growing peppers indoors will be a breeze, as it will provide the plant’s roots with the necessary aeration and vital nutrients.
Know how to water peppers
Even if you know how to grow peppers indoors, you still need to water them perfectly. To grow peppers indoors, make sure you water them a few times a week. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings, but let it stay moist and without waterlogging. To make sure it’s time to water, push your index finger about 5cm into the soil (if the soil doesn’t stick to your finger, water the plant), or use a moisture meter.
How to grow peppers in pots with fertilizer
If you want a perfect fertilizer for homegrown peppers, look to a 5-10-10. These numbers indicate the degree of effectiveness of the fertilizer. These numbers indicate the NPK values of the fertilizer, which are 5% nitrogen (N), 10% phosphorus (P), and 10% potassium (K). However, if you happen to do a soil analysis of your garden and it turns out that the soil contains adequate amounts of phosphorus, you can opt for a fertilizer with a slightly lower content of these minerals (like a 10-0-10). The same goes for nitrogen and potassium.
Know how to prune
Although it is not mandatory, pruning peppers has its advantages. For example, if done at the right time, pruning the pepper plant can promote stronger stems, better branching, fewer diseases therefore faster-growing peppers, etc. But keep in mind that you can also distinguish between early-season pruning and late-season pruning. Early pruning, especially in the case of peppers, is recommended early in the season to increase yield. Late pruning is used to flavor fruit ripening and to accelerate ripening.
Enjoy your peppers sprouting
Now that you know how to grow peppers indoors, keep at it to give your indoor peppers the best you can possibly get. After about three months, you should start to see pepper fruits appear. Even though they’re green at first, you’ll still be able to harvest them. But let another month or so go by and see how the colors of the peppers change. And, depending on the variety, you can also taste how their sweetness or spiciness develops. Remember that pepper plants are perennial. So, if you know how to combat the problems associated with growing peppers, your plant can continue to produce fruit for years!
This is how our seedlings look like
Our step-by-step guide on how to grow peppers in pots now shows you the finished work. Isn’t that satisfactory?
Satisfactory growth even indoors
By following the instructions in our step-by-step guide to growing peppers, you will get these great results. By observing a few simple precautions, such as the right drainage and the addition of good soil, you can also grow medicinal herbs or flowering plants at home.
Growing plants indoors in the winter season
It is not difficult to create a corner for growing small potted plants in a sunny area of the house, despite the cold season; now we have explained to you how to grow peppers in pots.