How to Keep Pepper Plants Over Winter So They Survive

Did you know that peppers are perennial? They'll grow back if they're  "overwintered" aka "winterized."

But first, pepper plants can't survive frosts or freezing temperatures.  Here's a summary of the overwintering process... 

1

Pick off any remaining chillies, cut off the leaves and prune the branches down to its original "Y" stem.

Prune Pepper Plants

2

Add a couple inches of moistened potting soil to the bottom of a pot. A size around 2-gallons works well.

Prepare Smaller Pots

3

After removing plants from their current pots, spray the roots with a hose to get rid of the dirt.

Spray Plant Roots

4

Mix a Neem oil solution, and then spray plants and roots down to kill existing pests.

Get Rid Of Bugs

5

Hold your plant about an inch from the top of the pot, then fill in the container with moistened potting soil. 

Transfer Plants To New Pots

6

Put your plants near a window or use a grow light for about 8 hours a day.

Give Potted Peppers Light

FAQs

Q: How much water do I give winterized peppers?

Q: Do I need to fertilize and how much?

Q: What temperature works best for overwintering?

Q: Is my pepper plant dead or dormant?