7 Bell Pepper Plant Care Tips
- Mulch well. Black plastic mulch can help absorb the sun and keep your ground soil warm.
- Water carefully. Bell peppers need a deep watering, about one to two inches per week.
- Provide sun.
- Use the right fertilizer.
- Stake.
- Check for pests.
- Companion plant.
How do you keep bell pepper plants healthy?
Keep bell peppers well-watered, but never leave soil soggy. Water to moisten soil about 6 inches deep, then let it dry slightly. Watering is especially important during fruit set, when tiny peppers take the place of blossoms, and as the bells mature. Consistent moisture helps keep peppers firm and healthy.
Do bell peppers prefer sun or shade?
Peppers grow in all types of soils but do best in heavier, well-drained soils. Plant them in areas that receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
How long does it take for a bell pepper plant to produce fruit?
60-90 days
Most sweet peppers mature in 60-90 days; hot peppers can take up to 150 days. Keep in mind, however, that the number of days to maturity stated on the seed packet refers to the days after transplanting until the plant produces a full-sized fruit.
What makes peppers grow better?
Keeping pepper seeds warm at 80-90˚ F is best for fast and successful germination. Most pepper seeds germinate within 7-21 days, but some can take longer than that so be patient and keep them consistently warm. Seedling heat mats can help greatly!
How do I get my pepper plant to produce more fruit?
While in starter cups, and soon after transplanting, gently pinch off flower buds to help the plant generate more growth before flowering. Pick peppers soon after they ripen. Regularly harvesting the plant’s peppers encourages it to produce more. If fertilizing, reduce nitrogen level once plant begins to flower.
Should I cut the flowers off my pepper plants?
Whether you choose to prune your pepper plants or not, we think for maximum yield you should pinch off the first blossoms before transplanting your pepper plants (or even if they’re direct seeded in their location, pinch off the first few blooms to encourage more growth).
How long do bell pepper plants last?
3-5 years
Now, if they are not taken care of, or your garden is not maintained well, you may never see them live past a single growing season. However, their lifespan can range from 3-5 years if maintained properly.
Do peppers grow better in pots or ground?
Pepper plants take well to growing in containers, where they often stay small but usually mature earlier. Each plant should have a two-gallon or larger container, deeper than it is wide. A young plant will look a little lonely at first but will grow to fill the container quickly.
How often do I water bell peppers?
Bell peppers need a deep watering, about one to two inches per week. Although bell peppers like warm weather, they will not flourish in intense heat, so gardeners in climates that are prone to higher temperatures should water twice a day if necessary.
How often should I water pepper plants?
about once per week
As a general rule, pepper plants should be watered about once per week and allowed to thoroughly drain. However, this frequency can vary significantly based on the temperature, wind, and the size of the plant and its growing container. During a heat wave, you may need to water your potted peppers every day!
How many peppers do you get per plant?
On average, the bell pepper yield per plant is five to 10 peppers; however, some varieties will produce a few more or less. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says that eight to 10 plants are enough for a family of four.
Do bell pepper plants come back every year?
Peppers are mostly grown as annuals by most gardeners, but they are perennials. These woody plants can grow for another year if provided with proper care and adequate growing conditions, especially during colder or winter months.
What is the best fertilizer for bell peppers?
While the best pepper plant fertilizer depends on soil condition and the gardener’s preference, the top performer is Pepper & Herb Fertilizer 11-11-40 Plus Micro Nutrients. This fertilizer is formulated to provide a balanced ratio of nutrients essential for pepper plants.
What month do you harvest peppers?
For most people, this means seed sown peppers will be started indoors in January or February. Pepper harvest time for many hot varieties of peppers, like jalapeños, is often indicated when the fruit is a deep, dark green.
Should I cut bottom leaves off pepper plants?
Prune off the lowest leaves to keep them away from ground-dwelling pests. Slugs and snails and other pests find pepper foliage delicious. When pepper leaves touch the soil, or they’re very close to the ground, these pepper pests have an easier time gaining access to a favorite food source.
Is Epsom salt good for pepper plants?
Epsom salt can be especially beneficial to vegetable gardens with tomatoes and peppers.
Does picking peppers make more grow?
As long as you keep picking the fruits when they are still in the immature (or green) stage, the plant will continue to produce more fruit. So you must usually choose between harvesting lots of green peppers or fewer orange and/or red peppers.
Do you prune bell pepper plants?
Late Season Pepper Plant Pruning
The main reason to prune peppers late in the season is to speed up maturing the fruits that are still on the plant. Pruning bell peppers late in the season does help to speed up the ripening process because it focuses the plant’s energy on the remaining fruit.
Do peppers grow well in pots?
Small peppers (less than one foot high) grow well in two-gallon containers, but bigger plants need at least five-gallon pots. You can grow peppers in any type of container as long as it’s big enough and has good drainage.
Can bell peppers be grown in pots?
Peppers need room for their roots to spread, so choose a pot at least 12 inches in diameter. A young pepper plant may initially appear small in such a large vessel, but it will fill out the container when it’s full size. Purchase a pot with holes in the bottom, or drill your own to ensure adequate drainage.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.