Bell peppers have a relatively long growing season, making them challenging in some climates. Container gardening is an excellent solution because it gives gardeners more flexibility and control. In this article, you’ll find out all about growing bell peppers indoors so you can enjoy a year-round supply of delicious homegrown produce.
Pepper plants (Capsicum annuum) are ideal for growing in pots. Hot and bell pepper varieties generally have a relatively compact growth habit. They need well-draining potting soil that’s well-draining and rich in organic matter. Pepper plants require at least 10-12 hours of bright light each day to flower and produce fruit. It’s helpful to augment natural sunshine with grow lights on shorter days in the fall, winter, and spring.
Growing peppers in pots makes it easier to adapt to changing growing conditions. In cold climates, you can move your potted pepper plant indoors and extend your harvest time. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about growing bell peppers in containers.
- Can You Grow Bell Peppers Indoors?
Can You Grow Bell Peppers Indoors?
Many gardeners wonder, “Can you grow bell peppers indoors?” The answer is absolutely! Growing bell peppers indoors is an excellent way to enjoy fresh, flavorful homegrown veggies any time of year.
Peppers are perennial plants that will continue producing fruit for many years with the right growing conditions. It’s possible to dig up peppers grown in outdoor garden beds, transplant them into pots, and bring them indoors for the winter.
Otherwise, plant pepper seeds in trays, peat pots, or a repurposed cardboard egg carton. As your seedlings grow, gradually move them to slightly bigger pots until they are big enough to transplant into five-gallon containers. However, having more than a few inches of soil that the roots don’t touch increases the risk of root rot and fungal disease.
It does take a bit of extra work to keep pepper plants fruiting in winter. However, another option is to simply keep them alive in a semi-dormant state during the colder months. The plants will survive with a minimum of six hours of light daily and temperatures around 60-70°F. That way, you’ll have a head start in the spring with mature plants that will produce fruit much sooner.
Growing Bell Peppers Indoors from Seed
Most varieties of bell pepper seeds take around one to three weeks to germinate. Before planting, soak seeds in a damp paper towel for a few hours. Doing so breaks down their protective outer coating faster and speeds up germination.
Fill your seedling trays with rich, well-draining potting soil. It’s helpful to pre-saturate your soil to avoid disturbing the seeds after planting. Sow the seeds a quarter-inch deep, then lightly cover them with soil. Top the tray with a humidity dome or cling film to better hold in moisture.
The optimal soil temperature for germinating pepper seeds is 75-85°F. The seeds won’t germinate below 70°F. Using a heat mat helps keep the soil consistently warm.
Once your seedlings sprout, move them to a south-facing windowsill that gets at least six hours of bright light throughout the day. Consider using a grow light if you don’t have a sunny spot available.
One of the best parts of home gardening is trying unusual veggie varieties that aren’t typically available at the grocery store or farmer’s market. Here are some of the best bell pepper cultivars for container gardening.
Best Varieties of Bell Peppers for Growing Indoors
- Baby Belle (hybrid, heavy producer, 2-3″ red/yellow fruits, 18-24″ tall, 24-30″ wide, 75-80 days to harvest)
- Blitz (hybrid, disease-resistant, 4-5″ red fruits, 18-24″ tall, 24-36″ wide, 70-75 days to harvest)
- Bull Nose (heirloom, heavy producer, 2-4″ boxy red fruits, 18-30″ tall, 24-26″ wide, 75-80 days to harvest)
- Jingle Bell (hybrid, early maturing, 1-2″ bright red fruits, 16-20″ tall and wide, 55-65 days to harvest)
- Hungarian Cheese (hybrid, heavy producer, 3-4″ red/orange/yellow fruits, 18-24″ tall and wide, 65-75 days to harvest)
- Milena (hybrid, disease-resistant, 2-4″ orange fruits, 18-24″ tall, 24-30″ wide, 65-75 days to harvest)
- Purple Beauty (heirloom, heavy producer, 3-4″ purple fruits, 18-24″ tall and wide, 70-80 days to harvest)
Growing Bell Peppers Indoors from Mature Plants
Do you have healthy pepper plants in your garden at the end of the growing season? If you wish, you can dig them up several weeks before the first frost and transplant them into a large pot to keep them alive through the winter. However, it’s crucial to avoid bringing insect pests like aphids or mites in with your bell pepper plant.
First, measure the width of your container, which should hold at least five gallons of soil. Carefully dig around the plant, so the root ball is about the same width. If there’s extra space in your pot, fill it with organic compost. Then, water the plant until it starts flowing out of the drain holes and place it in a sheltered outdoor location for a quarantine period.
Carefully inspect the plant for signs of pest or disease issues. Remove all diseased leaves or branches, then sanitize your pruners afterward. If you notice insects, rinse them off with a garden hose, then relocate the pot. When the leaves are dry, spray the whole plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
After several days of no visible insect activity, move your pepper plants to an intermediary location like your porch. This way, they can be outdoors on warm days and come inside on cold nights. Once daytime temperatures are consistently below 65°F, keep the plants indoors.
In the spring, begin hardening them off once daytime temperatures stay above 65°F. Leave them out for progressively longer periods each day over one or two weeks so they can gradually readjust to the harsh realities of outdoor life.
Choosing the Right Container
Pepper plants grow best in large pots that hold at least five gallons of soil and have a depth and width of 12 inches or more. It’s vital to use a container with drainage holes. If water pools at the bottom, it could lead to fungal disease. Place a saucer underneath the pot to catch the draining water, and remember to empty it regularly.
Although attractive, there are better options than terracotta pots for growing peppers. The clay absorbs moisture, so you’ll need to water more often with terracotta instead of a glazed ceramic or plastic pot.
Best Potting Soil and Fertilizer for Growing Pepper Plants Indoors
Using nutrient-rich and well-draining soil is essential for growing healthy pepper plants. Look for a potting mix rich that has perlite for better drainage and peat moss or coconut coir for moisture retention.
Pepper plants are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization. Apply granular fertilizer every six to eight weeks or liquid fertilizer every three to four weeks. If you’re keeping your pepper plants in a semi-dormant state for the winter, where they won’t flower or fruit, you’ll only need to fertilize them once or twice before springtime.
There are three primary macronutrients found in plant fertilizer: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Nitrogen stimulates leafy growth, phosphorus encourages robust root systems, and potassium promotes fruiting and flowering.
If you’re growing peppers from seed, use an all-purpose organic fertilizer until your plant begins flowering. Then, switch to a fertilizer with higher phosphorus and potassium levels. Add one or two tablespoons of lime sulfate or bone meal per gallon of soil when the plant starts flowering. Doing so ensures that your plants get enough calcium and wards off blossom end rot.
Optimal Growing Conditions for Indoor Pepper Plants
Like most other fruiting plants, peppers prefer full sun. Six hours is the minimum to keep them healthy, but they’ll need more like 10-12 hours of daily light to bear fruit. In most cases, they need supplemental light during the winter to produce flowers and fruit.
Temperature is another critical consideration for growing bell peppers indoors. Daytime temperatures should be around 70-80°F and no lower than 65°F at night.
The soil must stay consistently moist but not soggy. Since plants use water at different rates depending on their growing conditions, it’s best not to water on a strict schedule. To check the soil moisture, insert your fingertip to the first knuckle. If soil sticks, it’s still moist, and you should wait another day or two before rewatering. Covering the soil surface with mulch helps to hold moisture.
Harvesting Bell Peppers
Most bell pepper varieties are ready to harvest in around 60-90 days. Bell peppers grow in various colors, including red, orange, yellow, and purple.
Use clean, sharp pruners when harvesting your bell peppers to avoid accidentally spreading pathogens or damaging the plant. Snip the stem a half-inch from the branch.
All peppers are green before they ripen. Green bell peppers typically have a tart, slightly bitter taste. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, wait to harvest bell peppers until they’re ripe.
Solutions for Common Pepper Plant Problems
Although pests and disease issues are less prevalent when you plant bell peppers indoors, monitoring your plants for signs of distress is still essential. If you’re transplanting mature pepper plants to bring in for the winter, quarantine them for a few days and thoroughly check for signs of disease or insect damage before bringing them inside.
A general yellowing of the leaves often indicates overwatering. Yellow blotches or discolored leaf veins can be a sign of fungal diseases. Be careful to avoid overwatering, and try to avoid splashing the leaves. To learn more about pest and disease problems that affect pepper plants, check out this article from Portland State University’s Plant Village.
If your pepper plant drops its flower buds and its growth seems stunted, the temperature is probably too cold. Move it to a warmer spot and check that it’s not close to any cold drafts.
Although pepper plants are naturally self-pollinating, it usually happens via moving air currents. When growing bell peppers indoors, running a circulation fan on low is helpful to simulate a light breeze. Or, use a cotton swab or paintbrush to transfer pollen between the flowers.
Have you ever asked, “Can you grow bell peppers indoors?” The answer is yes! As long as they stay warm enough and receive plenty of light, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful homegrown peppers any time of the year. If you don’t want to provide supplemental light and heat to keep them fruiting, it’s still possible to overwinter your pepper plants indoors in a semi-dormant state.
Do you have any questions or recommendations about how to grow bell peppers in containers? Please share them in the comments! If you found these container gardening tips beneficial, please share this post about growing bell peppers indoors with your green-thumbed friends and family.