Many people choose to grow peppers in a pot for several excellent reasons. Peppers tend to be cold-sensitive, so growing them in pots or containers makes it easier to shield them from adverse weather conditions. If you’re in an area with limited space, the pepper’s ability to do well in a pot is useful.
Despite the benefits, you may need some help getting results from your potted plants. If this is your situation, you are probably not using the best pepper variety that grows well in pots, or you may be missing one or two winning practices. This article will show you the best pepper species that do well in containers and some practices that can help your pepper grow well.
Some of the Best Pepper Variety to Plant in a Pot
The success or failure of growing pepper in a pot begins with choosing the right pepper species. Some species are large and need deeper soil or nursery beds for their roots. In such cases, they will not do well if grown in pots. On the other hand, some pepper varieties are well suited for pot growth. Some of these species include:
Bulgarian Carrot Peppers
The Bulgarian Carrot pepper is a slender, orange, incredibly spicy pepper variety that is at least three times hotter than regular peppers. They usually grow on bushy plants, but their small roots make them ideal for growing in a pot. They also come with the additional advantage of bearing lots of fruit.
Bolivian Rainbow Pepper
These species are a sheer beauty when fully grown and live up to their name by producing fruits with multiple colors of red, orange, yellow, and even purple. The peppers are more than just ornamental; Bolivian peppers can also be hot as any pepper. They make good garden plants and do well when grown in containers.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are one of the most popular species of pepper, with large red fruits and spiciness that adds flavor to any meal. However, they struggle when grown in pots and require careful attention if you must succeed. Although they are more challenging than most species, you can still make it work if you’re determined.
Green Peppers
Certain pepper varieties, such as the Poblano and Shishito peppers, grow deep green fruits that could be either long or extra-large. The Poblano is not as hot as most peppers, while Shishito is a sweet pepper with only a hint of spiciness. They both do quite well in containers, with the Shishito being one of the easiest pepper species to grow in a pot.
How To Grow Pepper in a Pot
Growing pepper in a pot doesn’t have to be too tricky. Here are a few steps you have to take:
Step One: Select a Large Container
Container size is crucial to the success of your planting process because the space needs of various pepper species differ. For instance, the more compact pepper species will do well in an eight-inch pot, while larger varieties require at least a foot in diameter to prosper. A good pot size will be at least ten inches deep and a diameter larger than a foot to allow adequate root and width growth of the plant.
Step Two: Fill Your Container With Rich Organic Potting Soil
You must use potting soil when growing peppers in a pot. Regular soil drains too quickly in pots and can easily become dry and compact, ruining the roots of the young plants in the process. Good potting soil is well aerated and drains well, causing the roots to have adequate air and water. Also, add some calcium granules to the soil, as young pepper plants are prone to calcium deficiency.
Step Three: Pick the Right Pepper Plant
As discussed earlier, some plants are better suited for pot cultivation than others. Ensure you select the right pepper variety for the best outcome. Also, start with seedlings rather than seed packets to maximize the pepper’s optimal growing season.
Step Four: Place the Pot in a Warm, Sunny Spot
Peppers require a lot of sunlight and heat, so their growth often peaks during the hot summer months. It is estimated that a pepper requires at least five to eight hours of direct sunlight and a temperature of about 70°F- 80°F for daytime and 60°F – 70°F at night. Placing the pot indoors or in the shade for most of the day will lead to a poor yield.
Step Five: Water and Feed the Young Plant Regularly
Potted plants depend completely on their planters for water and nutrients as they cannot naturally produce them. For your pepper plants to do well, you must water them daily. However, test the soil for moisture before watering so you don’t waterlog the soil. Also, feed the soil with natural, organic plant food.
Common Problems You will Encounter While Growing Pepper in a Pot (and How to Solve them)
You will likely enjoy growing your pepper in a pot, but the entire process will not always be smooth sailing. Here are some problems you are likely to face and how you can solve them:
Pests
Pests like aphids and whiteflies are a major headache for gardeners as they destroy the plants, sometimes even before they can grow. A good way to reduce the effect is by handpicking bugs away from the pot and washing the plant leaves with soapy water.
Bacterial Leaf Spot
Another problem facing potted pepper plants is the bacteria that causes yellowish-black spots on the plant’s foliage. A good way to avoid these bacteria is by using fresh potting soil for each planting session and keeping infected pots away from others. Also, cut off the spotted leaves as soon as you notice them.
Blossom End Rot
This disease is the most heartbreaking obstacle you will likely face, as it occurs just before the pepper fruit is about to sprout. The blossom end of the pepper turns mushy-brown before the fruit matures. Blossom sprout is usually a symptom of calcium deficiency, so you can combat it by adding calcium granules and fertilizers to the potting soil at regular intervals.
Conclusion
You can successfully plant peppers in pots provided you know the right way to proceed about it. Here are some of the tips discussed in the article:
- Select the right pepper variety, preferably the small ones.
- Place the pot in a hot location with plenty of sunlight.
- Water and fertilize the pot regularly, but always test the soil before you do.
- Choose an adequately sized pot and good potting soil.
- Be alert so you can fight pests and diseases that might attack your plant.