Growing peppers is a lot of fun, and it opens up a world of culinary possibilities. Here, we focus on growing peppers in containers so that you can still grow chillies no matter the space you have (or don’t have).
When you grow your own plants, you join other gardeners who want access chile varieties that aren’t readily available. In my neck of the woods, for example, I’m lucky to get habaneros.
And, even if you do have better access, these peppers can lack quality and heat (in my experience) when they’re not as fresh as they can be.
Peppers are somewhat tricky to grow. Please don’t make the same mistake I did and think you have a black thumb if it doesn’t work the first time.
This page contains all of our best content for learning to grow chillies as a beginner. The topics cover all the steps, from starting seeds indoors to growing pepper plants in containers.
Most Popular Pepper Posts
Here are the most-visited articles in the pepper seeds, growing peppers and chile varieties categories.
Top Articles
Germinating Pepper Seeds: Tricks to Get Them to Sprout
Some pepper seeds are stubborn and need a little coaxing to sprout. Here are a couple of different methods you can use to get your seeds to germinate.
Growing Jalapenos 101: How to Grow Jalapenos from Seeds to Potted Plants
Jalapeno peppers are popular medium heat chillies that grow really well in containers. Here's a complete guide that shows you how to grow jalapenos from seeds to outdoor potted plants.
Stunted Pepper Plants? The Most Common Reasons, According to Expert Gardeners
Having stunted pepper plants is extremely frustrating. There are many reasons for pepper plants not growing. Here are some possible reasons (with solutions) from these expert gardeners.
Growing Peppers In Pots
This category covers all of the gardening steps for growing peppers in containers throughout the season. Topics include managing pests and disease, watering tips and overwintering pepper plants so they grow again next season.
Caring for Container Peppers
A Beginner's Guide to Indoor Grow Lights for Starting Seeds
Pepper seedlings need light to support them as they grow indoors. Sunlight and other lamps usually aren't enough. Here's an explanation of plant grow lights and how to use them.
The Best Organic Potting Soil Mix for Hot Peppers In Pots
What's the best organic potting soil mix for your hot pepper plants? A good mix should support your chile's growth stage in it's potted environment. Here's what to look for in the mix.
Watering Pepper Plants in Pots (+ Bottom Watering Plants Printout)
Watering pepper plants is tricky, especially in pots. They need enough to grow chillies, but not so much that they die. Here's how you can make sure they get the right amount.
Fertilizing Pepper Plants: This Is What You Need to Grow Lots of Chillies
There's a lot that goes into the when, what and how to should fertilize pepper plants. Plus, they have specific needs during different growth stages. Here's an example feeding schedule to get your started.
10 Effective Ways to Deter Pepper Plant Pests and Disease (Organic)
Pepper plants are susceptible to pests and disease during the growing season. The key is prevention. Here are 10 ways you can deter problems using natural and organic methods.
How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats on Indoor & Outdoor Plants
What are those tiny black flies on your plants? Fungus gnats! Here's how to kill fungus gnat larvae and adults (organically) on both indoor and outdoor plants.
Stunted Pepper Plants? The Most Common Reasons, According to Expert Gardeners
Having stunted pepper plants is extremely frustrating. There are many reasons for pepper plants not growing. Here are some possible reasons (with solutions) from these expert gardeners.
Overwintering Pepper Plants: This Is What Keeps Them Alive for Years
Overwintering pepper plants is a way to help chillies survive the colder months and grow again next spring. This way, you don't have to start new plants each season. Here's how to to do this.
Can You Reuse Potting Soil? Here's What You Need to Know
As a container gardener, you may wonder if you can reuse potting soil. It's expensive to keep buying new bags of soil. Here's what you need to know to prepare and revitalize your existing mix so it supports new plants.
A Quick Intro to Growing Hydroponic Peppers Indoors
Growing hydroponic peppers indoors is a popular option for many chile growers. It's especially useful if you don't have a lot of outdoor space. Here's a brief hydroponics overview to learn more.
Hydroponic Gardening: 5 Resources That Will Help You Grow Without Soil
Hydroponic gardening is a way of growing without soil. It also lets you grow a lot of peppers in a smaller space. Here's a list of 5 hydroponic guides that will help you get started.
How to Clone Plants from Cuttings
Cloning your plants is a way to produce more plants without starting from seeds. Here's a video that shows you this process from beginning to end.
Starting Peppers from Seeds
These are the essential topics for starting your pepper seeds. Articles include being able to tell if your pepper seeds will sprout, getting tough pepper seeds to germinate, knowing when to plant your seeds indoors and how to save seeds.
Starting Seeds Indoors
Heirloom Peppers vs Open Pollinated vs Hybrid Seeds: Whatβs The Difference?
Seed types determine what to expect when you grow out your seeds and whether you can save seeds from these plants. Here's how to understand the differences between seeds so you're better informed when buying.
The Ultimate Pepper Seeds Vendor List
Heirloom, novelty or the latest super hot pepper seeds can be very hard to find. Hereβs a list of pepper seed vendors (both in and out of the US) who have an extensive collection of seeds.
How To Buy Hot Pepper Seeds Without Getting Ripped Off
Unethical "sellers" trick people by making them think they're buying a particular chile variety when it's really something else. This usually happens when the latest "hottest pepper in the world" comes out. Here's how to buy your seeds without getting swindled.
How to Know When to Plant Pepper Seeds (and Why It's Important)
βPlanting at the right time makes a huge difference in whether you can grow lots of chillies or not. Here's how to know when to plant pepper seeds for your particular growing location.
How to Test Pepper Seed Viability So You Don't Waste Your Time
A seed viability test tells you whether your seeds can sprout and grow (under favorable conditions). And, pepper seeds can take a long time to germinate. Here's how to do this test so you save time (and aggravation).
Germinating Pepper Seeds: Tricks to Get Them to Sprout
Some pepper seeds are stubborn and need a little coaxing to sprout. Here are a couple of different methods you can use to get your seeds to germinate.
Saving Pepper Seeds: How to Harvest Your Chillies
Saving your own pepper seeds gives you the freedom to grow what you love each year. Here are three different methods for harvesting and drying pepper seeds for planting.
Jalapeno Seeds: Can You Grow Jalapenos from Store Bought Peppers?
Yes, you can plant seeds from a fresh jalapeno pepper! Hereβs what to expect when growing store-bought produce. (Plus, how to have the best chances at getting this to work.)
Types of Peppers
Want help deciding what kinds of chillies to grow? These articles cover the best peppers to grow in containers as well as the hottest peppers in the world.
Pepper Varieties to Grow at Home
The Best Tasting Peppers to Grow for Beginners
Picking chillies to grow as a new gardener is confusing because there's so much to choose from. Here's a list of tasty peppers that are perfect for making chili, salsa, pickling, stuffing and more.
113 Types of Pepper Plants That Will Make You Want to Grow Today
Want to discover new chile varieties that you can grow? Here's a list of some of the different types of pepper plants categorized by color, heat level and growth habit.
Growing Jalapenos 101: How to Grow Jalapenos from Seeds to Potted Plants
Jalapeno peppers are popular medium heat chillies that grow really well in containers. Here's a complete guide that shows you how to grow jalapenos from seeds to outdoor potted plants.
Jalapeno Pepper Varieties: Which One Will You Grow?
You don't have to limit yourself to just the green and red jalapenos in stores. Jalapeno pepper varieties come in a vast array of colors and heat levels. Here's a list of intriguing varieties.
How to Grow Habanero Pepper Plants In A Small Space
Not everyone has a yard to garden. Fortunately, habanero pepper plants can thrive in pots. Here's how to grow habanero peppers in a variety of containers that fit a small space.
Chocolate Habanero: About This Awesome Pepper (+ Growing Tips)
The chocolate habanero is one of my favorites. It's hotter than the orange variety and has an earthier taste. Here's where you can learn more about this habanero variety and get some growing tips too.
Jalapeno Seeds: Can You Grow Jalapenos from Store Bought Peppers?
Yes, you can plant seeds from a fresh jalapeno pepper! Hereβs what to expect when growing store-bought produce. (Plus, how to have the best chances at getting this to work.)
World's Hottest Peppers
Discover the hottest peppers and learn how you can grow them too.
Ghost Pepper Plant Scoville, Colors and [Updated] Growing Guide
The ghost pepper (Bhut Jolokia) comes in more than just the red ghost pepper variety. Read about the ghost chili Scoville, its colors and how to grow ghost peppers in pots.
Carolina Reaper: All About the Hottest Pepper [+ Germination Video]
The Carolina Reaper is officially the world's hottest pepper. Find out all about the Reaper pepper and discover how you can grow your own Carolina Reapers from seed.
Chocolate Bhutlah: Is it Hotter Than the Carolina Reaper?
Heard about the Chocolate Bhutlah? If you love super hots, read on! Here, we discuss whether this Bhutlah pepper is hotter than the Carolina Reaper, along with other info you don't want to miss!
Where Do the Hottest Peppers In the World Come From?
Nuclear hot chillies come from many different places. Here's a list of some of the hottest peppers in the world where each pepper has a rating of over 1 milliion Scoville Heat Units (SHU) or more.