Step 1: Choosing the right pot to grow great pepper plants in the garden
The first step to growing pepper plants in pots is choosing the right pot. I've been growing peppers in pots for over 15 years, and my experience says that a 3-gallon nursery pot is best.A smaller pot, like a 2-gallon, will work, but they do need to be watered more frequently in the heat. If you have a job and can't keep an eye on your garden all day, a 3-gallon pot is perfect. It's not too big, not too small—just perfect!
If you're on a budget, you can also choose 5-gallon pots, like I did in college. But it will take twice as much soil, so the cost will increase. You can use plastic pots or fabric grow bags.
Fabric bags are cheaper, but they tend to soak up water faster, so keep that in mind. If you want to buy pots, it's cheaper to buy multi-packs online. Or, you can get used pots from a local nursery for free or at a reduced cost, even if they're a little old.
Step 2: Nourish the soil regularly
Growing pepper plants in pots means nourishing their soil frequently. Plants grown in the ground have roots that can spread far and wide to find nutrients, but a pepper plant in a pot is dependent on just that tiny bit of soil. Rain or over watering can wash away nutrients, and the soil can become barren in just a few weeks.I use two organic fertilizers for my pepper plants: an all-purpose fertilizer (about 5-5-5 NPK) and a bone meal product, which is rich in phosphorus and calcium. It helps them thrive.
Every 7-10 days I sprinkle a tablespoon of all-purpose fertilizer and half a tablespoon of bone meal around each plant. Then I lightly work it into the top layer of the soil. This is important, because organic fertilizer doesn’t nourish the plants right away—it takes time for the soil to break it down.
Step 3: Use water soluble fertilizer
Organic fertilizers are slow to work, and the lack of microorganisms in the potting soil slows down the process even more.So, I also use a water-soluble fertilizer, which gives the plants immediate nutrition. I mix one tablespoon of 20-20-20 fertilizer (such as J.R. Peters or Miracle-Gro) and two tablespoons of organic fish fertilizer in a 1.5-gallon watering can. This mixture gives the pepper plants a huge boost.
I water my pots with this mixture. One 1.5-gallon can is enough for 6-8 plants. I give the rest of the water to my new fig trees and tomato plants. This ensures that the organic fertilizer is activated and the pepper plants can absorb the nutrition immediately.
Step 4: Pro Tips That Will Make a Difference in pepper Chilli Plants
Here are some little tips that will make your pepper plants grow better:
- Sunlight: Pepper plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. 8-10 hours is even better, but if you live in an area with a lot of sun like me, light afternoon shade can be beneficial.
- Soil: Choose a good quality all-purpose potting mix that retains water well. You can make your own potting mix—it’s cheaper.
- Pruning: I don’t prune my pepper plants. I think they grow best naturally. Pruning can increase the risk of disease. But if your plants have diseased leaves, it’s okay to remove them.
- Disease prevention: Regular fertilizing keeps plants strong and diseases are rare. My pepper plants are usually disease-free because I take good care of them.
Step 5: Keep Chilli peppers Plants Alive for Years
Did you know that peppers plants are perennial? We think of them as annuals because they die in the cold. But in pots, you can keep them alive for years.One of my peppers plants was planted in January 2022, and today, three and a half years later, it is still producing lots of chili peppers! I have it grown into a small tree, and it continues to produce chili peppers in my sunroom through the winter.
If you live in a cold area, keep the plants indoors over the winter. They will grow slowly, but produce quickly once you bring them outside in the spring. You can put them outside during the day in early spring and bring them inside at night. This will give you chili peppers before the rest!
Bonus: Give your garden more love
There's more to my garden than just peppers. My fig trees, which were tiny fragments two months ago, are now 5 feet tall! My tomato plant also grew from a cutting, and it's producing great fruit. Give your plants love and care, and they'll reward you in abundance.
A Final Word
Gardening isn't just about growing plants—it's a way to spend time in the sun, touching the soil, and connecting with nature. I hope these tips will make your pepper plants superstars. If you liked this article, share it with your friends. So, now grab the pots, prepare the soil, and start growing peppers. Your garden is waiting for you!
