Q&A for How to Grow Chili Peppers Indoors

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  • Question
    Do chilli plants need sun or shade?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Chili plants need sun but can tolerate some shade. Full sun (6-8 hours of direct sun per day) will result in better pepper crops.
  • Question
    Can you grow pepper plants inside?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Peppers require full sun, so they do best outdoors. Place them in an extremely sunny place or under a grow light if you want to grow them inside.
  • Question
    Can you grow bell peppers inside?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Peppers require full sun but may be grown indoors in an extremely sunny place or under a grow light.
  • Question
    I want to grow hot peppers inside in the fall and hopefully the winter. Will they survive through the winter indoors?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    As long as the peppers get at least six hours of bright sunlight every day and the temperature stays between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, then your peppers should survive the fall and winter. Use an additional artificial light and a heated plant mat if you are worried about not achieving the temperature and light requirements.
  • Question
    Will the seeds inside a pepper grow?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    The seeds will likely grow. However, if your pepper is a hybrid cultivar, then the fruit the plant produces will not be the same as the pepper you started with.
  • Question
    My chili plants are flowering but not fruiting, what can I do to encourage fruit?
    Community Answer
    It's possible that your plant isn't getting enough of the right nutrients. When the plant starts to flower, feed it with a low-nitrogen fertilizer that's high in phosphorus and potassium. Chilies are self-pollinating, but you can also aid the fruiting process by giving the flowers a gentle shake when they do grow.
  • Question
    Is it safe to put the chili plant pot on a windowsill before it sprouts?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it should be safe. Peppers like environments where the soil can warm up a little to help with germination.
  • Question
    What if I am growing exceptionally hot peppers? Would the process be different?
    Community Answer
    The peppers will still grow, but the they wont be as hot. Hotter peppers tend to like hot climates.
  • Question
    What could be eating holes on the leaves of my indoor pepper plants?
    Community Answer
    Check under leaves, near the plant, or the soil. There could be indoor bugs like aphids eating the plant.
  • Question
    How deep should a pepper be planted and how often do they need to be watered?
    Community Answer
    They should be planted 1 inch deep into the soil and should be watered every day.
  • Question
    How do I get rid of maggots on my pepper plant leaves?
    Community Answer
    Mix 1 part soap with 10 parts water, then transfer to a spray bottle. Shake well and spray lightly all over the plant. The maggots should be gone the next day.
  • Question
    How long does it take for chili to start sprouting?
    Community Answer
    Typically it takes 5-10 days. Just keep the soil moist and the temperature above 25C and all should be just fine.
  • Question
    Should I dry out the seeds before I plant them?
    Community Answer
    Not necessarily; dried or not, both work. Just follow the steps and everything will be fine.
  • Question
    How long does it normally take to grow a chili plant?
    Community Answer
    It take up to 2 weeks to grow and up to 120 days to bear fruit. Habeneros take 100 days and a minimum of 60 days.
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