Peter Piper picked a dash of pepper. But first he had to plant the peppers, and so did you! In fact, it's so easy to learn how to grow peppers that you'll never have to pick peppers at the grocery store again. This makes it the perfect plant for vegetarian loving, easy-care gardeners.
Not only are they a great addition to any meal, peppers are also very ornamental. Some gardeners plant them in landscapes just because of their striking colors. The delicious fruits are available in various festive colors, from green to orange to red to purple. If the peppers are not there, the plant itself is beautiful with its full green foliage and small white flowers.
The bell pepper is closely related to all other types of pepper such as jalapenos and habeneros. Unlike its spicy and spicy relatives, however, it lacks the chemical capsaicin that is responsible for the heat. For this reason, you will often hear them referred to as peppers – that's what they are!
Are you ready to give your garden a colorful taste? Here's everything you need to know about planting peppers (and more!).
Good products for growing peppers:
Brief instructions on care
Growing peppers is rewarding and enjoyable. Source: Ken Cook
| Common Name (s) | Paprika, bell pepper, red pepper |
| Scientific name | Capsicum annuum var. Grossum (Grossum Group) |
| Days to harvest | 60-100 days |
| light | Full sun |
| water | Medium, consistent |
| ground | Well drained, fertile |
| fertilizer | Low nitrogen; Early spring and summer |
| Pests | Aphids, whiteflies, Colorado beetles, cut worms |
| Diseases | Mosaic virus, final blight, anthracnose |
All about peppers
Paprika comes from Central and South America. They were introduced to Europe by Columbus and other researchers and have been grown worldwide since then. They are naturally a perennial in warm weather, so people in cold regions only cultivate them every year. These are generally forgiving plants, but the right temperature is important so that they can thrive. Therefore, you can use your pepper as a perennial if you live in a warm climate or bring it indoors in winter. If you choose the latter, keep it warm and exposed to light.
When pepper plants are grown as an annual, they usually produce a fruit set. However, as perennials they can continue to produce even in winter.
The bell pepper plant is up to 4 inches tall and 2 inches wide. The fruit – yes, it's a fruit – is usually 3 to 4 inches long. The peppers are often picked prematurely when they are green. However, when left alone, they take on their full color as they mature. Whether this color is red, orange, yellow, purple or brown depends on the variety.
Types of peppers
A Purple Beauty pepper plant, still less than a foot tall. Source: Lorin Nielsen
They may seem like their own species, but peppers are actually Capsicum annuum varieties. This type was sorted into five groups of edible peppers. The Grossum group includes all peppers. Here are some of our favorites:
gourmet
With the gourmet pepper you get a beautiful orange tone. It has thick, juicy walls with a fruity taste. The plant is very resistant to tobacco mosaic viruses, produces early and has a high yield. This is an award-winning variety that gardeners rave about.
Gypsy
With this variety you can get almost all colors in one. The skin starts green, then turns yellow, orange and finally red. Choose them at different times to enjoy the full range of colors! The peppers are long, thin and ready to eat in just 65 days after transplanting.
Sweet cherry
This must be the sweetest of all peppers. They are round, red and the size of a cherry and are ideal as ornamental plants and bite-size snacks. The plant bears its cherries generously, so you won't miss these sweet treats.
chocolate
A chocolate pepper? It sounds like a strange combination, but it's a very tasty treat. It has a creamy red-brown skin and red flesh. Unfortunately, it doesn't taste like chocolate, but this pepper is still particularly sweet. It also matures quickly (60-75 days).
Bell boy
This is one of the best bell pepper plants that can be picked green, although it will turn red later. It has a box-like shape and a spicy taste that is ideal for culinary use. It is a hard plant that is resistant to tobacco mosaic viruses and other diseases. Unfortunately, this is a hybrid, so its seeds are sterile.
Yellow monster
With these giants you will definitely get more fruit for your money. Yellow monster peppers are twice the size of the other varieties – 8 inches long !. You will find that they taste very sweet and have a meaty texture. They start green and gradually turn light yellow.
Purple beauty
It doesn't get more decorative than the purple beauty. It is so dark purple that it looks almost black (like an eggplant). However, if you cut it open, the fruit is lime green! When the purple is fully ripe, it turns dark red. These purple peppers are one of the most productive and fastest producing plants, with only around 70 to harvest.
Plant peppers
Pepper seeds form in a mass in the upper part of the pepper. Source: Arbyreed
Plant your peppers from seeds or starts. We recommend seeds because there are more varieties to choose from than the limited starts in garden stores. Capsicums have a long growing season, so you need to use the seeds indoors in cold climates. Otherwise, the frost could get your crop before you can!
Start the seeds inside 6-10 weeks before the last frost is expected. Bury each seed 1/4 inch deep in well-drained soil and keep it evenly moist. Optionally, cover the compartment with a punctured plastic wrap to trap the humidity.
It takes about 10 days for the seeds to germinate. After the seedlings have jumped out of the ground, remove the plastic wrap and put the container in a sunny place in the house. Keep the soil moist until it's time to transplant.
As your seedlings grow, Prepare the floor They are planted. You can give them a place in your garden or grow them in a large container. Regardless of your choice, use well-drained soil. Add a lot of organic material like composted manure to increase fertility and water retention. When all frost probabilities have disappeared and the ground is constantly 65 ° F or warmer, you can start transplanting.
Your seedlings should be 6 to 8 inches tall and have an extensive system of white roots – they can even bloom. Before transplanting, however, they have to get used to the weather outside. Harden them by placing the containers outside during the day. Start with an hour or two and work outside for a full day. This will help them prepare for the big move.
When they're ready to go into the ground plant every pepper 1-2 feet apart (depending on the expected size of the variety). If you are concerned that the floor is not warm enough, put some black plastic down to absorb heat. You can also add mulch to warm the floor and trap additional moisture (recommended for very dry areas).
Now all peppers are ready to grow! After transplanting, it usually takes 60 to 90 days to produce ripe fruit. You can expect baby fruits to grow in mid to late summer.
maintenance
A plant can have many peppers at different ripeness levels at the same time. Source: Zeetz Jones
With a good care plan, you don't have to work too hard here. As long as you monitor the temperature and match irrigation, you'll reap before you know it!
Sun and temperature
Because of their tropical origins, your pepper plants need warm weather to thrive. Ideally, the daytime temperature should be between 70 and 80 ° F and the nights above 50 ° F. Together with warm weather, your capsicums should be placed in full sun.
Failure to observe the temperature can result in poor fruit set or dead plants. Temperatures above 30 ° C can lead to flower drops and bulky fruits. Protect your plants if necessary by providing light shade in hot weather. These plants are also sensitive to cold night temperatures, so you may need to cover them up.
Water and moisture
Peppers have flat roots, so constant water is the key to making them happy. Underwater or sporadic pouring can make the pepper wall thin instead of thick, while making the taste bitter. For best results, keep the soil moist but not flooded. 1 to 2 inches per week should be sufficient, but additional moisture may be required during flowering and in hot weather.
ground
You need a well-drained soil that offers a good balance between clay and sand. Capsicums love their nutrients, so provide the soil with plenty of organic matter from mulch and top dressings. The exact pH is not too important here, but a range of 5.5 to 7.0 is considered ideal.
Fertilize
Fertilizer is important for the cultivation of high-quality fruits, as peppers depend on nutrients for their outstanding texture and taste. You should fertilize your pepper plant twice a year. Apply fertilizer to the soil at the beginning of the season before planting. When the plants start to flower, add a side dressing to encourage fruit growth.
We want the plants to use their energy for fruit production. Therefore, choose a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10. This slows down leaf growth and helps the plants focus on growing the products.
Pruning / training
It may not seem that way, but peppers are heavy! At least they are for a 4 inch plant with flat roots. To keep them upright, prune your plants to keep them bushy rather than sparse and tall. When the plant is young, cut back long stems to promote a fuller shape. However, do not prune more than a third of the plant, otherwise it may not be able to bear fruit.
If pruning is not enough, you may need to stick your peppers to prevent the stems from breaking in two. Place a post in the ground next to the plant and loosely tie the stems to it with a fiber-assisted cable tie (wire or cord can damage the stem). This can be done in the ground or in containers. You can also use a tomato cage instead of piles.
Propagation
Capsicums are one of the easiest plants to save seed from. You can keep them from your home-grown garden peppers or take them from store-bought peppers. Note, however, that the seeds may not be type-matched if the plant has been cross-pollinated. In addition, most hybrids produce sterile seeds, so avoid them.
First choose a healthy, fully developed pepper. Remove the seeds and throw away any that look sick or discolored. Spread the rest on a paper towel and let dry for a few days, turning as needed. When they are completely dry, they are so hard that you cannot dent them with your nail.
Place the seeds in an airtight container and store them in a dry, dark and cool place. For best results, throw in some silica gel desiccant to absorb additional moisture. The seeds last a few years, but the sooner they are planted, the higher the rate of germination.
Peppers can also be propagated out Cuttings, but most gardeners don't because the plants grow annually. However, if you live in a tropical climate, you can use them as perennials and reproduce to your heart's content!
Choose a healthy stem and cut it directly under some leaf knots. Remove the bottom leaves and any buds, flowers, or fruits. Dip the end of the cut in root hormone and plant it in seed starting soil. Water evenly and store in warm weather and indirect light.
Your cut will take root in about two weeks, after which it can be planted in the garden. From here you cultivate it like a normal pepper plant and it becomes one.
Harvest and store
All peppers start green and then ripen to their different colors. Source: Theo Crazzolara
If everything goes as planned, you should harvest your peppers in mid to late summer. The season is coming faster than you think, so get your recipes ready!
harvest
You have a lot of freedom to decide when you want to harvest. As soon as the product turns green, you can select it immediately or let it ripen to the desired color. You definitely don't have to harvest them all at once. Depending on the variety, each plant produces around 6-8 peppers at the same time. Instead of pulling, cut them from the plant so as not to damage the stem.
The minimum ripeness to wait for is when the pepper is green, full size and firm. From there, it may take 3 weeks or more for the full color to develop. When the pepper ripens, it becomes sweeter, thinner and has a shorter shelf life. Wait too long and it will get mushy.
If you wait until your peppers have reached their final color, you will likely only get one crop. If quantity is more important to you, harvest your products frequently when they mature for the first time. This leaves more time and energy for further harvests. You can always plant two pepper plants and let one ripen while you consistently harvest the other.
storage
The more mature your peppers are, the worse they are stored. For this reason, it is best to eat them on the same day they are harvested. Peppers ripen easily if you leave them on the counter for a few days, but the refrigerator is preferable. There they usually last 1-2 weeks.
You can also cut and freeze your peppers. They lose the crispy texture, but retain the delicious taste that is great for adding to recipes. We recommend using them within one year.
Dehydration is another option for storing pepper and is easier than it seems. Just steam the peppers and put them in the oven for a few hours at 140 ° F or lower. Store in an airtight container after drying.
Troubleshooting
Young pepper plants take time to develop before they can bear fruit. Source: Lorin Nielsen
We have some growing problems to watch out for, but nothing too serious about pests and diseases. To really minimize potential problems, do not twist peppers with other nightshade plants like tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. They share common pests and diseases that are only encouraged to thrive in the garden.
Growing problems
Flower drops, damage, or absence is a common problem with pepper plants. This is often caused by temperatures below 60 ° F at night. However, it can also get too hot during the day (80 ° F +). Other possible culprits are underwater, too much nitrogen and a lack of nutrients in the garden.
Paprika can be parthenocarpicThat means they can produce fruit without being pollinated. However, the plant can break off the young peppers because they have no purpose for reproduction. Prevent this by inviting pollinators to your garden, by growing flowers or pollinating by hand.
Paprika can get sunburn at constant high temperatures and humidity. The skin looks dry, burned and cracked. This does not affect the edibility of the fruit unless the skin becomes mushy. If you notice this, give your plants some shade in the afternoon.
Finally, if under waterEspecially in hot weather, the leaves start to curl up. Give them a good drink and they should go back to normal. If not, this could instead be a sign of pest damage or disease.
Pests
Aphids and White flies are two threats you can encounter in your garden. Both feed on juice and excrete ant-attracting honeydew. Prevent them by regularly applying neem oil. Existing populations can sometimes only be removed with insecticidal soap, pyrethrin and aphids with a strong water jet.
Colorado beetle, also called potato bugs, have round, yellow-orange bodies with clear black stripes. Insecticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), azadirachtin (the active ingredient in neem oil) or sprays based on pyrethrin usually work very well against them. You can prevent potato bugs with neem oil.
While in their caterpillar phase, Cutworms will chew through your plants like unrestrained scissors. Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) prevents and combats cutworms, as does tillage before planting. You can also add useful insects like nematodes.
Diseases
Mosaic virus appears as a variety of spots on pepper leaves and hollow leaves. It is deadly and incurable, so you have to destroy all affected plants. This virus usually spreads via seeds. So make sure you get your virus from a reputable and healthy source.
Gardeners report problems from time to time Rotting of flower ends. This shows up as dark, rotting areas at the flower end of the fruit. The most common cause of this problem is inconsistent irrigation. If you agree, most of the problems should be resolved. However, in some rare cases, it can be caused by calcium deficient plants. If the soil pH is too high, this can prevent the plant from absorbing calcium. Use a soil test kit to check your pH.
Anthracnose is a fungus that infects many types of plants – including peppers. Early symptoms are small, brown or black spots on the leaves, stems and fruits. If this option is not activated, the spots will grow and eventually collapse, leaving holes in the foliage. Neem oil can fight anthracnose as well as copper fungicides. You can prevent this and other fungi by keeping your plants clean, dry and well pruned.
frequently asked Questions
Early flower buds on a bell pepper plant. Source: Lorin Nielsen
Q: Are peppers easy to grow?
A: Yes! They can be picky about the temperature, but are otherwise very simple.
Q: How long does it take to grow peppers?
A: It usually takes 60-100 days to mature after the transplant. To combat frost in cold climates, most gardeners start them indoors.
Q: Can you grow peppers from shop-bought peppers?
A: Yes, as long as it is not a hybrid with sterile seeds. Use a pepper that is healthy and fully colored (the green pepper has not fully matured).
Q: Are there any male and female peppers?
On a. Pepper flowers contain both male and female reproductive parts, not one or the other. The differences in the lobes of the peppers are due to the garden conditions, not the gender of the fruits.
The green thumbs behind this article:
Rachel Garcia
Juicy fanatic
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener
