Have you ever considered a pepper as a houseplant, and did you know that you can grow them indoors? It’s not as uncommon as you think, with more and more people across the USA introducing them into their homes. With the increase in indoor gardens there are some easy peppers to grow indoors for your garden.
It follows the trend of more Americans getting a ‘green thumb’ as a result of the pandemic. We’ve all spent far more time than usual in our homes, and for many, the garden became the place of escape and relaxation. If the garden’s in a bad state, there’s a good chance that so will your mind. So, those who have gardens have become far more involved than they would have prior to the pandemic.
What if you don’t have a garden though? It’s time to look indoors.
In this guide, we cover a few of the best peppers that you can consider growing in your home, whether you like them mild or really hot!
Preparing your home for growing peppers
Before we run through the list, let’s look at some important things to consider when it comes to growing peppers in your home.
Container size
If you are growing a small pepper plant, you’ll need a container (or a pot) that is about 12 inches in diameter. For large plants, you’ll need to consider a pot or container that is 18 inches or so. Make sure that your pots have good drainage, otherwise the water will settle in the pot and cause root rot. Your pepper won’t last long if this happens.
Watering
Be careful not to overwater your plants. Aim to add water when the top inch or so of the soil is dry – this should be about every 2 days under standard conditions. If you have a humidifier running in your home, then reduce watering frequency by about half.
Light
Peppers prefer between 4 and 6 hours of sunlight per day for best growth. For most peppers, make sure that you place them near a window that is not in direct sunlight (to prevent scorching). Also try to utilize full-spectrum lighting too (artificial lighting). Full-spectrum lighting can be bought relatively cheaply these days and does not produce harmful UV rays like standard lights. Full-spectrum lights are designed to replicate the full electromagnetic spectrum of light, and they work really well when it comes to helping plants grow.
Humidity
The best humidity for your pepper plant is around 60%. To increase humidity you can consider creating a mini indoor greenhouse using plastic wrap over the top of the plant pot. Just be careful not to trap in too much moisture, otherwise, you’ll have root rot issues – remember to check soil conditions daily!
Temperature
Peppers like it to be warm. The ideal range is about 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit, so aim for that in your home.
Let’s go!
Okay, so now that you know the tips and tricks on how to prepare your home for growing peppers, let’s look at a few pepper plants that are ideal for growing indoors. First up, people often think it’s far more difficult to grow plants like peppers indoors compared to their natural environment. The reality is that you’ll have far more control over the environment, and if you follow our tips you’ll have thriving plants in no time.
Pepper plants to grow in your home
While there are many options to choose from, we suggest that you consider growing one (or all) of these peppers in your home.
Pequin Peppers
Pequin peppers are native to Mexico. If you are looking for a pepper plant to grow at home, this one is ideal. It’s not too difficult to grow them indoors, and they come in bright red colors which look great.
They grow up to an impressive 15 inches tall, so if you’re growing indoors then make sure that your pots are large enough! They only need about 6 hours of sunlight per day.
The pequin pepper is similar to the cayenne chili. It has a mild taste but at the same time packs enough of a punch to make it really great for home gardens. With between 40 000 and 60 000 Scoville heat units, it’s slightly warmer than a cayenne pepper.
Jalapeno Pepper
Ideal for beginners, this is one of the best peppers to grow indoors. They are not too difficult to cultivate and come in red and yellow shades with thick flesh. Most jalapenos are around 3 inches long when they mature. The plants will only need 4 hours or less of sunlight per day if you provide them with full-spectrum lighting, so you can place them anywhere where they get bright light without being exposed to direct sunlight. They grow up to about 30cm in height.
The jalapeno pepper measure between 2 500 and 8 000 on the Scoville scale, which is a similar heat range to the Fresno peppers. What’s great about the jalapeno is the taste. They are great for salads, salsa, and even soups.
Chiltepin Peppers
These are little peppers, but they pack a punch. In fact, some people claim that chiltepin peppers are hotter than habanero peppers, so take it easy when adding them to your meals! It’s a popular pepper to grow indoors, and it only needs about 4 hours of sunlight.
In terms of taste and texture, chiltepin peppers have a tangy flavor with a slight sweetness to them – not too dissimilar from a jalapeno. They are great for homemade hot sauces.
The Scoville heat unit for these little red fruits is around 50 000 to 100 000 units, so if you’re new to growing your own peppers then maybe start off with something that packs a little less of a punch. For chili and pepper enthusiasts though, this is a great option to grow in your home. If you have kids or pets, make sure you keep them out of reach.
Habanero Plant
This is one of the best pepper plants to grow indoors, and it offers a delicious fruity taste. As with the chiltepin, these peppers may be tiny but they pack a big punch. The habanero plant matures to about 2 feet in height and only needs 4 hours or less of direct sunlight per day.
The habanero chili is pretty hot – around 200 000 to 350 000 Scoville units – so watch out! It has an orange color and you’ll often find them used in Caribbean food and hot sauces.
It’s quite easy for this plant to get root rot, which does not make it one of the easiest plants to grow, but if you can manage that then growing your own habaneros inside will be fun! Remember to keep these plants out of reach from kids and pets!
Thai Pepper Plant
One of the more colorful options on this list is the Thai Pepper. It’s a great plant to grow indoors and it only needs about 4 hours of sunlight per day.
It has a slightly spicier flavor than the jalapeno pepper and can be used in many ways – fresh or dried – and they also make excellent peppers for stuffing. These peppers are also known as prik kee nu.
If you like spicy, five-star Thai food, it’s the Thai chili peppers that you can thank as they are the ones providing the spice and heat. Here are a few facts about the Thai Pepper:
– It has a similar heat level to the cayenne or Tabasco peppers
– They are small, but pack a powerful punch
– The plants grow between 1 foot and 3 feet in height
What tools do you need when it comes to growing peppers indoors?
When it comes to growing your peppers, or any plant indoors, there are certain tools you will need. Here are a few of them.
Pots or containers
You’ll need something that is big enough for your seedling to grow into a healthy plant. Consider the type of pepper you are growing and how much space you will need. When looking at the various options, take a look at what their maximum size is and make sure you don’t get a pot or container that is too small. Choose ceramic over plastic, as they are porous and will help to prevent root rot.
A growing light
Your peppers will need between 4 and 6 hours of sunlight per day. If you have no access to natural sunlight then you’ll need some artificial lighting so your pepper plants get enough light to grow. You can purchase one of these lights from your local hardware store. Full-spectrum lighting is the ideal choice to make sure that your pepper plants get the light they need, to produce the peppers you want.
Spray bottle
Use this to keep your plants moist, but not soggy. One of the most important things about growing peppers indoors is having well-drained soil that is kept moist at all times.
Soil knife
A soil knife, also known as a hori-hori, has a strong, serrated blade that you can use to dig into the soil, cut through roots, and even harvest your plants. They are usually 6 to 12 inches in length.
Protective gloves
If you’re planning on harvesting your peppers, then wearing protective gloves may be a good idea as some peppers can irritate your skin or give you an unpleasant burn.
Hand Trowel
A hand trowel is a gardening tool that is similar to a knife. It has a short blade and a long handle which you can use as a simple spade or as a garden fork. Make sure it’s made from stainless steel so you don’t have to worry about rust.
Hand fork
A hand fork is typically used for digging and loosening up the soil. Before planting your seedlings, you’ll need to dig to prepare the growing area. Consider the type of pepper you are planting and how deep the seeds or seedlings need to be planted.
An FAQ to growing your peppers indoors
Q: Will indoor peppers get as hot as peppers that have grown outdoors?
A: As long as you don’t overwater your peppers, there is no real reason why they wouldn’t get as hot as those that have grown outdoors. If you follow our tips and hints above, you’ll be able to grow impressive indoor peppers.
Q: Do indoor peppers grow as quickly as outdoor peppers?
A: Yes, if you give them the right conditions they will grow at roughly the same rate.
Q: When do I harvest my peppers?
A: As with any plant, harvesting time depends on what kind of pepper it is. For habanero plants, you can expect to harvest your first habanero around 4 months after planting seeds. Jalapeno peppers are an 8-10 week variety. Chiltepin can be harvested earlier – around 5 or 6 weeks.
Q: What is the difference between a seed and a seedling?
A: A seed is produced by a plant that generally comes from the female part of the flower. It contains everything that each new pepper needs in order to grow, but it doesn’t have roots, leaves, or anything else you’d expect to see on a fully developed plant. That’s where seedlings come into play. They are simply young plants in the early stages of development.
Q: Can I use a grow tent in my home to grow my peppers?
A: Yes, you can definitely grow peppers in a grow tent. You just need to remember that they may get a little warm inside the tent, but you should be able to monitor this and control their temperature with your lighting system. Just keep an eye on things and you’ll be fine.
Next steps to growing your peppers indoors
So, there you have it, our guide to growing peppers inside your home. With a little bit of preparation, TLC, and by following our guide above, you’ll be growing big and healthy peppers in your home in no time.
Remember, consider how much heat you can handle when selecting which pepper to grow.