How to Grow Peppers in Containers

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No backyard? No worries! Growing peppers in containers is easier than you might think. With just a few pots and a good sunny area, you can turn your patio, deck, or porch into a thriving pepper garden. It’s a simple, convenient way to enjoy fresh, homegrown peppers all season long—no big garden required!

Actionable tips for container gardening that will help you grow healthy vegetables no matter how small your space.

grow peppers in containers

The one thing I have learned about gardening over the years, is other than plant care there are really no strict rules you need to follow. You can get creative and adapt your layout to fit where you live and the time you have.

It used to be true that you needed a large backyard to stock your kitchen with homegrown goodness, but not anymore. All you need is a container, good quality planting mix, healthy seedlings or seeds, and you are ready to grow.

Not only can peppers do well growing right outside your kitchen door, but just about any plant can, and this guide will show you how to set things up.

How To Grow Peppers in Containers a step by step guide

The Key Part to Successful Growing

The most important thing to remember when you grow your produce in containers is water. With the limited space found in a container, things can dry out pretty quickly.

Forget to water things just one day, and you can damage your plants just from the heat of the sun. On the flip side, if you overwater you can make the lower part of the container soggy causing issues with the roots.

The best solution is to get yourself on a good schedule to ensure you are watering consistently each day and giving the correct amount.

Turn your patio into a garden full of peppers. Learn How to Grow Patio Pepper Plants today.

When to Water

The best time to water is in the morning as this will avoid evaporation that the sun can do if you water in the afternoon.

Also, you will want to avoid watering your pepper plants in the evening unless you have to. Night watering tends to leave the plant’s leaves wet for a longer time. This can make those leaves vulnerable to fungus.

a woman watering a pepper plant growing in a container

If you love spicy and hot foods, peppers are probably on your list of go-to staples in your kitchen. Adding a few varieties of this wonderful vegetable is a great way to round out your patio container garden.

Since a pepper’s plant characteristics are very similar to tomatoes they pair nicely together and even look great on any porch. 

The Jalapeno Pepper

This hot pepper is a great addition to any patio. A bush type plant that can fill out with dozens of peppers. One plant will produce quite a few peppers so keep this in mind when you choose your plants for this year’s garden. 

It is perfect for salsas, tacos, chili, and omelets.

Even though most people consider this a hot pepper, it is actually considered a mild to medium heat. The heat you get all depends on the amount of membrane you use in your recipes since that is where the majority of the heat is held.

Fresh jalapeño peppers, whole and sliced, on a white background

Sun

With these peppers, the most important thing to remember is they love to be warm. Make sure your soil is 70 degrees, and your plant is in full sun. 

Water

Water often prevents the soil from drying out. To test the soil simply poke your finger into the ground. If it is dry, your pepper plant needs more water.

If it is damp, your pepper plant needs some water. If it is wet, your pepper plant needs very little to no water. 

When you are watering your plants, try to keep the water off of the fruit and leaves. This will deter any diseases from forming. Adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plant will help to keep the soil moist for a bit longer.

Ready to make gardening easier? Discover The Benefits of Mulching Your Garden and make your garden look amazing year-round.

Harvest

Pick your peppers when they are firm and bright green. Jalapeno peppers will commonly have cracks on the skin.

This is normal and common at harvest time. If you happen to have lower-than-normal temperatures, you may notice cracks early on that can then turn into splits.

If left on too long, they will begin to turn red. Red jalapenos are sweeter and not quite as hot but perfectly fine to eat.  

Bell Peppers

A wonderfully sweet pepper, this is by far my favorite one to grow, freeze, and to cook with. Bell peppers not only add a great flavor to any dish but they with so many colors and varieties, these peppers can liven up a dull dish with their beautiful colors. 

Fresh green bell peppers, whole and sliced, with seeds visible inside

When choosing a spot, pick an area that is at least partially protected from any strong winds.

As fruits begin to develop, you may want to add support to your plant to help reduce strain on the base of the plant. Bell peppers can range from small to very large, so keep an eye on your plant and stake the main stem if needed. 

A good tip for bell pepper plants is to pinch away new growth from the plant. This will regularly promote a bushier plant that will do very well in your pot producing a larger amount of peppers overall. 

If you’re new to gardening, learning How to Grow Bell Peppers for Beginners is the perfect way to get started. Starting a veggie garden has never been easier.

Sun

Bell peppers also like it warm, but not as much as Jalapenos.

60 degrees is a good temp to grow a nice healthy plant, along with at least 6 hours of direct sun.

Water

Keep your plants watered regularly so they do not dry out. Use the finger in the soil test I talked about above. 

Since they are in pots, you will need to water more often than a regular garden, but a layer of mulch will help to keep things moist a bit longer.

Harvest

When your peppers are a nice shiny green, they are ready to harvest.

If you leave the peppers on the plant longer, the colors will change to red, orange, and even yellow, but this all depends on the variety of plants

The Banana Pepper

The banana pepper is a medium-sized pepper that is often light green or yellow. It is a member of the chili pepper family and resembles a banana with waxy skin and minimal seeds.

This pepper has a nice mild yet tangy taste, with some varieties that offer a nice level of heat. I love to use these in omelets, sauces, on pizzas, or homemade hotdog relish. If you like pepper rings, this is a great variety to use for that.

Fresh banana peppers, whole and sliced, with seeds visible

Sun

These plants also enjoy warmer weather and require at least 8 hours of sun.

Again you will want to keep them protected from heavy winds. You can also stake these plants to give them a bit more support which can be quite helpful if you live in a windy area as we do. 

Water

Keep your soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. Using mulch will allow that soil to keep from drying out too quickly in the hot summer sun. 

I know I sound like a broken record, but when you grow your garden into containers, you need to double how often you water. Just one or two forgotten days can quickly damage your delicate plants. 

Harvest

The most common color for these peppers is yellow, but if left on the plant, they will turn orange or even red.

The sooner you harvest, the more heat you will have. If you want a sweeter pepper, orange or red is your color.

The Red Chili

This is a great hot pepper that is perfect for many dishes that require a kick of heat that you might not get enough from the jalapeno.

These peppers come in a wide range of heat, so pick the best level of hot when you are choosing your plants. I like the long red chili and find it easy to freeze or dry, so I can use it throughout the year.

This variety of pepper plants can fill up completely with peppers, so you may want to stake it for extra support. If a plant has enough room, you can easily expect 100 peppers or even more!

Bright red chili peppers with green stems, displayed on a white background

Since these plants can grow quite large, you may have to transplant them into a larger container, so be aware of that.

Sun

Since these plants hate cooler weather, I would suggest keeping them indoors at night until the normal overnight temperatures are over 60 degrees.

During the day, a good 6 hours or more of sunlight is best for this plant. Again because this plant can get so heavy, keep it sheltered from high winds.

Water

Make sure you have really good drainage for this pepper plant and water often, especially when the days are really hot. To keep things moist, you will want to add a nice layer of mulch and replace it throughout the growing season as needed.

Chili’s do well with dry/wet times, so you do not have to water every day unless the plant is completely dried out.

I read this tip online but have yet to test it out to see if it actually works. If you are looking for a hotter pepper, hold back on the water just a bit, and that is just what you will get.

Harvest

You can harvest these peppers when they are green, red, or yellow, each giving its own distinct flavor and level of heat. 

Read our guide on How to Grow a Garden In The City for more ways to grow the food you love in a non-traditional way.

How To Grow Peppers In Containers

Growing peppers is similar to traditional gardening, with a few exceptions.

Step#1  Choose the best container

You will want to choose a pot that is at least 15” wide and deep enough to allow those roots to grow.

The beauty here is that anything can be used as a pot, allowing you to use up what you have. Whatever you use to grow your peppers in, you will need to have drainage in the bottom to allow any excess water to escape. This will give the roots the best environment in which to grow.

  1. A bucket
  2. A plastic tote
  3. A feed sack
  4. An old barrel
4 white feed bags in a wheel barrow filled with soil ready to be planted with peppers

Step #2  Drainage

As mentioned above, be sure you have ample drainage in whichever container you choose. The goal is to have enough water for your plant but not have your roots sitting in constantly wet soil. 

If you are using a bucket, you will want to drill a few holes in the bottom to ensure water does not gather, risking possible rot to the roots.

You can also add a layer of stones to the bottom of your container as well giving an added layer of drainage for your pepper plant. 

Step #2  Soil

If you want large, beautiful pepper plants, then I suggest you use good-quality soil or soil mix. I like using a mix for my plants, especially vegetables. This soil is perfect and even works great in containers. also, it is very lightweight, so I can move the containers around even after they are planted.

Green and red bell peppers growing on a plant, surrounded by lush green leaves

Step #3  Compost

Compost is the black gold of any homestead, but if you are a city dweller, you may not have any on hand. If you have the space for a compost barrel, it can be a great resource to have for your container garden.

By adding compost to your potting soil, you will create the perfect foundation for a bit and beautiful pepper plant.

You will also grow strong plants that will be better able to withstand any pests or diseases during the growing season. 

If you are new to composting, these articles can help you to better understand the process so you can get started with your own setup.

Step #6  Fertilizer

When growing peppers in containers, adding organic fertilizer will help to grow hardier plants. Peppers are heavy feeders, meaning they have a big appetite for nutrients to produce.

Choose a balanced organic fertilizer or one specifically formulated for vegetables, with essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Apply the fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season for the best results.

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Step #4  Planting

To grow peppers in containers, it is best to use seedlings as this will help you to produce quicker growth. A seedling is a young plant that you can put directly into your pot or container and give yourself a jump start on the growing season.

  1. Gently remove the plant from its pot.
  2. Using your hands, loosen up the roots by rubbing your fingers on the soil base. This will decompress the roots and encourage rapid growth.
  3. You can also gently squeeze the root base of the plant. Your goal here is to loosen things up. This will allow those roots to grab on quickly to the new soil and create a nice strong plant. 

Step #5  Positioning

Place the plant in the center of the pot and add more potting mix around the base. Using your hands, press down lightly around the base of the pepper plant to secure it into place.

Don’t worry if the soil covers a few of the small lower leaves; this will not hurt the plant at all.

Step #7  Support

As your pepper plant grows, it may need extra support to stay upright, especially once it starts bearing fruit. A tomato cage or a wooden stake placed next to the main stem works perfectly.

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I recommend adding the support early on to avoid damaging the plant later. If you are using a stake, secure the plant to the support gently and loosely to allow plenty of room for growth. String loosely tied at the base and up a bit higher works well, giving support throughout growth.

Step #8 Harvest

Harvesting peppers from a container-grown plant is all about timing and care.

Peppers are ready to pick when they reach their full size, have a firm texture, and display their mature color, whether that’s green, red, yellow, or another shade, depending on the variety.

The best time to harvest is early in the morning when the temperatures are cooler. To avoid damaging the plant, use scissors or garden shears to carefully snip the peppers from their stems, leaving a small piece of stem attached.

peppers growing in a bag next to a tomato plant

Avoid pulling or twisting, as this can harm the plant and affect future growth. With gentle handling, your harvest will be fresh, vibrant, and ready to enjoy!

You can read our guide on How To Freeze Peppers so you can enjoy your harvest throughout the year. Preserving what you grow is an important part of Gardening 101.

Getting creative with your garden setup allows you to grow the food you love, no matter where you live. By learning how to grow peppers in containers, you can transform even the smallest spaces into a lush vegetable garden.

Container gardening not only lets you enjoy fresh, homegrown produce throughout the summer, but it also offers flexibility and control over your plants’ environment, helping them thrive.

HOW TO GROW RESOURCES: 

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How to Grow Peppers in Containers

a woman watering a pepper plant growing in a container

Don’t let limited space stop you from gardening. These simple steps will show you how to grow vibrant, tasty peppers in containers.

Materials

  • Container
  • Potting soil
  • Compost
  • Stones or gravel
  • Seedlings
  • Fertilizer
  • Twine or plant ties

Tools

  • Gardening trowel
  • Drill
  • Scissors or garden shears
  • Watering can or hose
  • Gloves (to protect your hands while working with soil and plants)
  • Small rake or hand cultivator (for loosening soil and mixing compost)
  • Plant support tools (cages or stakes for holding up growing plants)

Instructions

  1. Choose a container that is least 15 inches wide and deep to accommodate the plant’s root growth. You can use plastic totes, buckets or even old barrels.
  2. Your container needs holes so extra water can drain out. Also, if you're using a bucket, add a layer of stones at the bottom for extra drainage.
  3. Combine compost to your potting soil to provide essential nutrients.
  4. Use seedlings instead of seeds to speed up growth. Gently loosen the roots before planting to help the plant establish itself quickly in the new soil.
  5. Center the seedling in the container and press the soil lightly around its base. Covering a few lower leaves with soil is fine and won’t harm the plant.
  6. As peppers grow, they may need support to handle the weight of the fruit. Use cages, stakes, or similar structures to keep the plant upright.
  7. Peppers are nutrient-demanding plants. Use an organic or vegetable-specific fertilizer every few weeks to encourage growth.
  8. Pick peppers once they reach their full size and color. Harvest them early in the morning using scissors or garden shears to avoid damaging the plant.

Notes

  • Add a thin layer of mulch on top of the soil to help retain moisture.
  • Container gardens are less prone to pests, but they can still happen. Watch for aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies, especially under the leaves. A spray of water or homemade insecticidal soap can help keep pests at bay.
  • Peppers love sunlight and need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. If you’re short on sunny spots, move the containers around during the day or use a grow light indoors.

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4 Comments

  1. I have had a lot of trouble with peppers even though I am in the south! Thanks for this information, found you on the hop.

  2. Wow! A really great and informative post! I really liked the simple steps on growing in containers. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

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