10 Simple Tips for Growing Bell Peppers in Pots

2024-03-06
10 Simple Tips for Growing Bell Peppers in Pots

Growing bell peppers in pots is an easy way to grow these versatile veggies even if you have a small garden or live in an urban environment. Whether you like to stuff them, blend them into salsa, or slice them up for fajitas, you can grow plenty of bell peppers in containers with a few supplies and a bit of know-how. The tips in this guide will help you successfully care for potted bell peppers on a balcony, patio, or wherever you have a sunny spot.

1. Choose roomy containers.

Bell pepper plants grow larger than most fiery hot chilis, so starting the plants off in large planters is important. A single bell pepper can grow in a 12-inch pot, but plants will be more productive in 5- to 10-gallon containers. Well-draining terra-cotta pots, plastic planters, or fabric grow bags are all handy for outdoor bell pepper plants, although grow bags can leak water indoors.

2. Use nursery plants for an earlier harvest.

Bell peppers can be grown from seeds or nursery starts, but you’ll be able to harvest peppers much earlier if you use pre-started plants. Fill pots with a well-draining potting mix and then pot up nursery-started peppers so that the top of the root ball is at the soil line. If you’d prefer to grow peppers from seeds, start the seeds indoors under grow lights six to eight weeks before your last spring frost date. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in a quality seed-starting mix, and use a heating mat to speed up germination.

3. Protect young plants from chill.

If you’re growing peppers from nursery starts, don’t plant the peppers outdoors too early. Like other nightshades like eggplants and tomatoes, peppers are sensitive to cold and shouldn’t be planted in outdoor pots until temperatures are consistently around 60°F. You can start indoor peppers at any time of the year, but be patient when transplanting them outdoors and properly harden off the transplants first.

4. Provide lots of light.

Bell peppers are full-sun plants that need at least six hours of bright light daily to fruit. Outdoor potted peppers do well on a sunny patio or balcony, but indoor peppers usually need supplemental light from a grow light to remain productive.

5. Add support.

Unlike many chili pepper plants, bell peppers grow tall and they easily reach 3 ½ feet in height when mature. These plants don’t always need support, but they can get top-heavy during the growing season and lose branches under the weight of their fruit. Adding a bamboo stake or tomato cage to the pepper plants when transplanting them can prevent broken stems and save you the trouble of staking plants later on.

6. Water regularly.

Watering is essential to keeping a vegetable garden, but it’s even more critical with container-grown plants. Peppers in pots can dry out much faster than plants in garden beds, so you’ll want to check pots often and water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Keeping plants well-watered will boost your crop of peppers, and it’s also the best way to prevent blossom end rot.

7. Fertilize as needed.

Mix compost or worm castings into the potting mix at planting time to provide peppers with a slow release of nutrients and increase harvest yields. However, peppers are heavy feeders that need additional applications of liquid or slow-release granular fertilizers throughout the growing season. Liquid fertilizers are typically applied once every two to four weeks, while granular fertilizers are applied more sparingly. Always check the fertilizer packaging for specific application instructions.

8. Know how to prune.

Bell peppers typically don’t need as much pruning as smaller pepper varieties, but they grow more prolifically with a well-timed clipping or two. Snipping away the lower leaves around the bottom of pepper plants can reduce the incidence of pepper diseases and pests, while pruning off suckers funnels the plant’s energy toward fruit production.

9.   Watch for pests.

Pests are usually not a problem on potted pepper plants, and they’re even rarer on indoor peppers, but pests can still crop up occasionally. Common pepper pests include aphids, flea beetles, and cutworms, and deer may also nibble on pepper plants. Most of these pests can be managed with companion planting, and plant collars are particularly effective against cutworms.

10. Harvest at the right time.

Bell peppers can be harvested as soon as they reach a usable size. Green bell peppers, while not fully mature, are edible and tasty. However, to get the best flavor out of your bell pepper plants, wait until the peppers are fully ripe and colored in bright shades of red, yellow, orange, or purple. Check plant labels and seed packets for the mature color of the bell peppers you’re growing. Harvest peppers by snipping off the fruit with sharp pruners, leaving a bit of stem attached to each pepper to help your harvest last longer in the fridge.

Related Article

How to Plant and Grow Rose of Jericho

How to Plant and Grow Rose of Jericho

Rose of Jericho is a unique houseplant that can survive with minimal water, making it a great option for travelers and forgetful gardeners.
21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens

21 Adorably Petite Plants for Fairy Gardens

Color is always nice, but scale is everything when choosing miniature garden plants. Peruse our favorite picks for fairy gardens and terrariums.
13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

13 Colorful Nectar Plants for Pollinators

Create a gorgeous, pollinator-friendly garden by including these nectar-rich plants.
Is Coleus a Perennial or Annual? Here's How to Grow It Both Ways

Is Coleus a Perennial or Annual? Here's How to Grow It Both Ways

Is coleus a perennial that comes back every year? That depends on where you live and how you care for it. Use these tips to enjoy coleus as a colorful perennial or annual plant.
How to Plant and Grow Ranunculus

How to Plant and Grow Ranunculus

Ranunculus are favorite flowers for weddings, arrangements, and gardens. Here's how to plant and grow ranunculus.
How to Plant and Grow Glossy Abelia

How to Plant and Grow Glossy Abelia

This guide on how to grow glossy abelia includes essential planting and care tips such watering, fertilizing, and pruning needs. You'll also find popular types of abelia to grow and pretty companion plants for this flowering shrub.
Hydrangeas Not Blooming? 7 Reasons Why and How to Fix the Problem

Hydrangeas Not Blooming? 7 Reasons Why and How to Fix the Problem

Hydrangeas not blooming can be a frustrating problem for gardeners. These straightforward tips will promote tons of long-lasting flowers.
10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests

10 Best Sweet Potato Companion Plants for Larger Harvests

Mix and match these sweet potato companion plants in your vegetable beds for pest-free crops and easier gardening.
How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

Learn how to harvest mint to keep plants more manageable and gather fresh mint leaves for cooking, drying, and storing!
How and When to Harvest Radishes at Their Peak

How and When to Harvest Radishes at Their Peak

These easy-to-follow tips will help you figure out how and when to harvest radishes for the best flavor and size. Plus, get troubleshooting advice if your radish roots aren't developing properly.
How and When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors

How and When to Start Tomato Seeds Indoors

Find out exactly how and when to start tomato seeds indoors so they'll be ready to transplant into your garden in spring.
Tillers vs. Cultivators: How to Choose the Right One for Your Gardening Tasks

Tillers vs. Cultivators: How to Choose the Right One for Your Gardening Tasks

Learn the differences between tillers and cultivators and the tasks they're best suited for.
Here’s What Not to Put in Compost to Avoid a Contaminated Bin

Here’s What Not to Put in Compost to Avoid a Contaminated Bin

Composting is a simple way to turn your kitchen and yard waste into food for your garden. But some of these items should never be in compost.
Easy Lawn Repair for Patchy Grass Using Seed or Sod

Easy Lawn Repair for Patchy Grass Using Seed or Sod

With a bit of grass seed or sod, lawn repair is easy, and you’ll soon have a lush green carpet again.
What Are the Tiny White Bugs on Your Plants? 4 Common Pests They Could Be

What Are the Tiny White Bugs on Your Plants? 4 Common Pests They Could Be

Tiny white bugs on plants in your home or outdoors can be a big problem. Learn how to identify and get rid of them with this guide.
How to Spot 5 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy

How to Spot 5 Common Plant Diseases and Keep Your Garden Healthy

Protect your plants from the most common diseases. Learn to recognize the symptoms and how to prevent these diseases in the first place.
How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

How to Landscape with Rocks and Stones in Your Yard

Decorative rocks and stones add another element of nature to your yard, whether you grow hydrangeas, tulips, or cacti.
Landscape Planning Tips From Start to Finish for a Perfect Yard

Landscape Planning Tips From Start to Finish for a Perfect Yard

Even if you're a beginner, these simple landscape planning tips will take the mystery out of designing your yard's ideal layout.
10 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing in Your Garden

10 Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants Growing in Your Garden

Use native plants in your garden instead of popular invasive landscape plants: See a list of common invasive plants, plus native alternatives to plant instead.
Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Midwest

Your Seasonal Lawn-Care Schedule for the Midwest

Use our lawn-care schedule to help you maintain a beautiful yard all year long. You'll learn exactly when to mow, aerate, fertilize, and overseed.