Pepper Plants

Varieties of Peppers

Ranging in taste from crispy sweet to fiery hot, and in size from long and skinny, small and round, and large and plump, in colors of yellow, red, orange, green and purple, the pepper is an easy-to-grow addition to our vegetable gardens and our menus.

Though not edible, the ornamental pepper plant that grows as a houseplant, adding the variety of colors to our interior spaces.

Whatever your preference, hot or sweet or somewhere in between, or just for show indoors, there is a variety of plant for you.

The most popular for home gardeners is still the sweet green bell pepper. However, hot varieties from Mexico, China and Thailand are becoming more popular among cooks for the intensity and variety of flavors. Even the popular spice paprika is a member of this vast family.

Growing Vegetable Peppers

Generally, small plants are purchased at garden centers. Select an area with full sun. Add compost to the bed to provide nutrients.

Pepper plants do not like frost, so wait until the temperatures remain above freezing consistently. However, temperatures over 90 degrees may lead to blossoms dropping and plants wilting.

Help the plant survive by planting them near taller plants that can provide some shade during the hottest part of the day.

Plant them 18 to 24 inches apart in moist soil. Add mulch to control weeds and retain soil moisture. Water them regularly, especially during hot, dry summer days.

Feed them with a fertilizer rich in phosphorous and potassium. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers will produce bushy plants but a limited number of fruits.

They usually take 70 to 90 days to mature, depending on the variety. When an early frost is expected, cover the plants to prevent killing or stunting the growth of the plant. Large buckets or heavy sheeting can be used for protection.

Seeds can be started indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost date. Though they can be difficult to germinate, requiring a soil temperature of 80 degrees and extended period for germination, with patience the challenge will provide you with a large number of plants.

Common garden pests can be a problem for pepper plants. Spider mites, aphids and borers should be eliminated using organic methods of control. As soon as noticed, fungal infections should also be treated with organic methods.

Growing Ornamental Peppers

The ornamental pepper plant is a dwarf plant with a profusion of small, colorful fruits. They are available in winter as a houseplant and help us bring the bright, intense colors of vegetable peppers into our homes.

These slow-growing plants remain compact, and are toxic to animals. They are not meant for human consumption, but only for decorative use.

Fertilize them when first transplanted to new pots and monthly until fruits begin to develop. Provide the plant with a sunny window location to increase number of peppers.

Keep them out of reach of inquisitive pets and children, as the plants are toxic to animals and cause irritation to humans. Water the plant daily, providing good drainage.

New growth should be pinched to encourage growth of fruit and to maintain the plant's size and fullness. Fruits can be left to dry on the plant, or removed at their peak and left to dry.

Pepper plants offer so much variety in flavor and appearance that it is easy to see why they are such a popular garden and houseplant.

Growing a few varieties in the vegetable garden lets you experiment with different flavors and find new favorites.