Peppers are a zesty ingredient that can add immense flavor to many dishes. From spicy to tangy to sweet -- peppers are tasty and make for a nutritious snack. Having said that, if you wish to have fresh peppers, container gardening is an option that you should consider! Growing a variety of peppers in containers is ideal if you want to save space, add some dimension to your garden, or don't like the hassle of traditional gardening.
Whether you're looking to save space or satisfy your pepper cravings, here are four peppers you can grow in containers while also adding aesthetics to your home!
Bell Peppers
Image credits: Kartinka via Shutterstock
Bell peppers are vibrant vegetables displaying colorful yellow, green, red, and orange shades that you can enjoy. These crunchy peppers pair well with any dip of your choice or even stir-fry it with your choice of protein. Bell peppers are mild in taste but can boost a dish's flavor.
These babies love some warm sunny spots with plenty of light, and six hours of full sun each day is best for them! The right temperature for bell peppers to flourish is around 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Furthermore, bell peppers like organic matter-rich, moisture-retentive, well-draining potting mixes with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8. They love soil temperatures of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above with moist but not saturated soil.
You can plant one bell pepper in a 5-gallon pot. If you wish to grow more, such as three bell pepper plants, aim for a pot that is 13 to 15-gallons in size. This methodcan save you sapce while beautifying it!
Ensure to grow your peppers in a well-draining pot since you need something that is both big enough to hold the growing pepper plant and deep enough to encourage healthy root growth. Larger containers take longer to dry out so it's best to test the soil before giving your plant another drink.
Cayenne Pepper
Image credits: Krisztina Papp via Pexels
This mild, smoky, and flavorful pepper is also an excellent choice for container gardening. Whether you're looking to sprinkle something on your eggs or elevate the flavor of your hummus -- cayenne pepper is the cherry on top!
Container gardening allows you to enjoy fresh peppers and move the plants around to accommodate seasonal variations in light and temperature intensity.
Cayenne pepper likes warm to hot temperatures (45 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and thrives in sunny conditions. They require six hours of direct sunlight daily. Plus, they yield more fruit when treated with a phosphorous-rich fertilizer, such as a 5-10-10.
When watering cayenne peppers, ensure you don't overwater them. Water only when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch. The plant requires proper watering for maximum fruit yield and size. Overwatering your peppers will stress the plant and reduce output, resulting in small fruit and the yellowing of leaves. You don't want your gorgeous cayenne plant to wilt, not set fruit, or lose its foliage.
Furthermore, a 2 or 6-gallon pot is ideal for one cayenne plant depending on the size, while a 15-gallon pot has enough room to cultivate five plants. Use a pot with drainage holes and set your beloved plant on a stand or lay it on a saucer to make it a focal point; only water when the top inch is dry.
Jalapeño Peppers
Image credits: Brett Hondow via Pixabay
Jalapeño peppers add the kick that all spice lovers need. Crunchy, earthy, and tangy -- they're one of the most frequent peppers to use in cooking. The spicy flavor is used in anything from chilis to soups, salads, and pizzas!
These hot babies can grow well in big containers, approximately 2 to 3 gallons, and it is crucial to use a container with drainage holes. Container-grown jalapeños love warm sunlight and at least six hours of direct sunshine each day with liquid fertilizer once a week to promote growth.
It's vital to regularly keep an eye on jalapeño pepper plants for soil moisture. During dry weather, set a twice-weekly watering schedule, with additional watering as needed during sunny days. Inspect the soil frequently and water as required around the wet season, ensuring that you don't overwater your beloved plant.
Jalapeño peppers love a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 to thrive. Opt for an all-purpose potting mix to ensure your plant flourishes, and with the proper water care and enough fertilizer -- it'll be all set to make your dish it's home!
Thai Pepper
Image credits: ROMAN ODINTSOV via Pexels
If you love heat in your food, consider adding crunchy, fiery, and peppery Thai peppers to your garden! You can make spicy noodles or stir fry with these delicious peppers. They are so hot that people opt to use them as ornamental peppers as well!
They grow up to 15 inches, so choose a 3 to 5 gallon pot to give them enough space to grow. Ensure they have the correct temperatures to thrive, they flourish well in a range of 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit with five to six hours of direct sunlight. Growing Thai peppers in a container is an excellent method since, compared to the ground, a container holds heat better and warms up faster in the sun.
Additionally, these peppers must be carefully watered, ensuring you don't overwater them. You should make a habit of always checking the soil conditions. Insert the chopstick in the soil, and if any dirt sticks to it your plant is in good shape and doesn't require more water.
However, when planting Thai peppers, ensure that the plant is placed in an area that won't attract children and pets, as they can irritate the skin and sting if you touch your eyes.
Pick Your Peppers Today!
Container-grown peppers save space while providing you with lots of variety! You can grow plants like Jalapeño and bell peppers in a single container, making cultivating ingredients for your favorite dishes simple!
You can even place your container-friendly peppers anywhere from patios to balconies, and they will look fantastic! They're easy to care for and save you from the hassle of time-consuming gardening.
If you have any tips and tricks to share regarding container-grown peppers -- mention them in the comments section.