How to Grow Peppers in Your Garden, According to a Pro Gardener

Looking for another edible edition to your garden? Pepper plants are a winning choice. With a range of low-maintenance varieties available and a pepper to suit every garden size and tastebud preference, you’ll quickly be able to grow your own harvest.

As with any new crop in the garden, there are helpful tips and care requirements worth understanding that’ll make the process easier for you, leading to more peppers and fewer stressful days trying to communicate with a not-so-happy plant.

Once you’ve settled on your fruit (or veggie to some) of choice, brush up your knowledge on these tips and care pointers, below.

Your Quick Guide for Growing Peppers

• Give peppers at least six hours of full light each day
• Plant peppers in slightly acidic soil that’s warm and moist
• Grow peppers after the last frost so they stay warm and healthy
• Peppers can take up to three months to be ripe and ready for harvesting
• Pick peppers based on what ripeness looks like for their variety

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Which Peppers Should You Grow?

Excited by the thought of growing a peck of peppers? Start by choosing the right variety. Zahid Adnan, gardening expert and founder of The Plant Bible, recommends starting with versatile varieties like bell peppers, jalapeños, or Anaheim peppers.

“They’re relatively easy to grow and offer a spectrum of flavors and heat levels,” he says.

Starting Peppers From Seed

Growing peppers from seed isn’t too difficult and is one of the more popular ways, aside from transplanting or buying young plants.

The best indication of when you can start peppers from seeds will come from the last frost date in your area. Adnan says you can plant the seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before the last frost date.

Gather small containers for the seeds and push them down into warm and moist seed starting mix. (He says to aim for a temperature between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit). This gives them time to start cultivating before they’re brought outside.

Planting Peppers

Whether you’ve planted from seed or are planning to transplant, you’ll likely want to bring your pepper plants outside for the best chance of survival and the most comfortable life.

“Once seedlings have developed true leaves, transplant them into larger pots or directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed,” says Adnan.

After planting, you can expect peppers to start fruiting and reach maturity between 65 and 85 days depending on the care they receive and the variety of pepper, according to Adnan.

Caring for Peppers

Once your peppers are in the ground, they won’t ask for anything too strenuous—most varieties are relatively easy plants to grow and cultivate. By ensuring they get the light, water, and soil necessary for them to thrive, you can have a healthy harvest in a few months.

Outside of the basics, Adnan notes to be aware of how your variety of pepper grows. While some stay lower to the ground, taller varieties will need some kind of trellis or stake. This supports them as they grow and will prevent breakage under the weight of fruit.

Light

Peppers love sunlight, whether planted in a bed or in containers on your deck. Adnan says they should be positioned to receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.

While they love sun, just be conscious of any recently pruned areas that may not be used to that level of exposure and can burn or leave room for the fruits to burn.

Soil

Peppers do best in slightly acidic soil—a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 is ideal. Soil should drain well and stay warm as they grow, hence why post-frost planting is important. This is particularly important for pepper plants and seeds that have been sown or transplanted.

As for fertilization? Adnan says the occasional sprinkling of a balanced fertilizer is okay. Too much can boost the look of the leaves but hinder fruit production.

Watering

Balanced watering is important, too. Adnan says regular watering is important for keeping the soil moist. Ensure that you distribute it evenly across the pepper patch or pot and it’s not funneling to just one part of the soil.

Moisture is key, but be careful not to overwater. “Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds,” he adds.

Pepper Problems & How to Fix Them

Peppers can run into a few issues while they’re growing. These are the most common pests and diseases that can afflict your plants and how to deal with them.

Pests

The most common pests that go after peppers, according to Adnan, are aphids, flea beetles, and pepper maggots—the latter being fly larvae that specifically target peppers by burrowing into the fruit.

Adnan says the best way to defend your plants is through frequent monitoring and using insecticidal soap or neem oil to combat infestations.

Plant Diseases

There are a handful of diseases that peppers are capable of developing. These include bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, and phytophthora blight. While they may sound disastrous, preventing them is fairly straightforward.

Adnan says to focus on measures such as crop rotation, proper spacing, and avoiding overhead watering.

Harvesting Peppers

As mentioned, peppers can take a couple of months to appear on your plant. It will depend on the pepper variety, but when the fruit has fully become its intended color and size and has a glossy sheen, they’re likely ready to be plucked.

If you’re worried about pepper picking influencing the growth rate, Adnan is here to ease your concerns. He notes regular harvesting can encourage your plant to produce more fruit.