Planter Boxes: Tips for Container-Grown Peppers

Choosing the Right Planter Box

Selecting the best planter box is crucial for growing vigorous pepper plants. Container pepper plants need enough space to establish their roots, so choosing a deep and wide planter is essential.

A planter box at least 12 inches deep and 12-18 inches wide works well for most pepper varieties. Deeper containers are especially beneficial for larger varieties like bell pepper plants. They require more room for their roots to grow. Your gardening container depth is less of a concern for pepper varieties with more shallow roots.

You also must pay attention to the material you select for your planter box.

Common Materials for Growing Peppers in Containers

You have a broad selection of growing boxes available. Some of the more common ones include:

Wood: Wooden planters provide good insulation and a natural look but can break down over time if exposed to moisture. If treated, they also leech those preservatives into the soil.

Metal: Metal planters can look stylish but tend to retain heat, which can be a problem on hot, blistering days. First, you'll need to water more frequently; second, you risk burning your plant's roots.

Plastic: These planter boxes are lightweight, easy to move, and available in numerous sizes and colors. Because they're non-porous, they also retain water. You might want to avoid black containers, as, like metal, they can absorb heat.

Whatever planter box you choose, ensure it has drainage holes to prevent water from sitting at the bottom and causing root rot.

Peppers Like It Hot

Peppers are warm-season crops, so timing planting time is crucial. Container-grown peppers are susceptible to cold temperatures, so wait until temperatures are consistently warm before planting outdoors.

If you're growing peppers from seed, start them indoors 8-10 weeks before your area's last expected frost date. Transplant the seedlings into your planter boxes once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 60°F (15.5°C). Daytime temperatures should stay between 70°F (21°C) and 90°F (32°C).

The location of your planters plays a significant role in the growth and productivity of your pepper plants. Peppers love warm, sunny conditions, so providing them with the right environment is essential.

Choose a Sunny Spot for Your Container-Grown Peppers

Choose a spot where your container pepper plants receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Peppers thrive in full sun, and more sunlight generally leads to larger, more productive plants.

If you live in a sweltering climate, consider placing your planter boxes where they get morning sun and some afternoon shade. You'll avoid sun scald and protect the plants from the midday heat.

Container pepper plants are more susceptible to wind damage. Place your planter boxes in a location that provides some protection from strong winds, such as against a wall or fence. It will prevent the wind from toppling over and reduce moisture loss from the wind.

Selecting the Best Container Pepper Plants

One of the best parts of growing peppers in containers is choosing sweet and hot pepper options.

If you like it hot, spicy varieties like jalapeños, cayenne peppers, and habaneros are excellent choices for planter boxes. For those who prefer milder flavors, sweet bell peppers and banana peppers can also thrive in containers.

Remember, however, that different varieties have different growing requirements. For example, spicy peppers generally do well in warmer climates, thriving in full sun and hot temperatures.

Sweet peppers, on the other hand, can be a bit more sensitive. They often require slightly cooler conditions and more consistent watering to produce large, juicy fruit. Choose pepper varieties well-suited to your local climate and growing conditions to maximize your success.

Additionally, consider whether you want to grow heirloom or hybrid varieties. Heirloom peppers have unique flavors. However, they may be more susceptible to pests and diseases. Conversely, hybrid varieties typically deliver better disease resistance and higher yields, making them a good option for container gardening.

Best Types of Peppers to Grow in Containers

When choosing which peppers to grow in your containers, consider how you plan to use them. Bell peppers or banana peppers are excellent choices if you enjoy sweet, mild flavors for salads or grilling. For those who prefer heat in their cooking, jalapeños, habaneros, and cayenne peppers are sure to spice up your garden.

Many varieties come in dwarf or compact versions, which makes them easy to grow in gardening containers. Despite their size, they yield plenty of peppers in a small space, allowing you to harvest regularly.

Best Sweet Peppers for Container Gardening

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are popular for container gardening owing to their relatively compact growth. The ‘Mini Bell’ varieties are particularly well-suited for small spaces. These peppers produce large, crisp fruits in various colors, including red, yellow, and green.
Top Varieties: 'California Wonder,' 'King Arthur,' 'Mini Bell Peppers'

Banana Peppers

Banana peppers are long, slender, and mildly sweet, making them an excellent choice for salads and pickling. These plants are more compact than bell peppers and are highly productive, making them ideal for container gardening.
Top Varieties: 'Sweet Banana,' 'Hungarian Sweet'

Pimiento Peppers

These smaller sweet peppers have a rich, sweet flavor. Their compact growth makes them an excellent choice for containers, and they produce thick-walled fruits that are perfect for roasting or stuffing.
Top Varieties: 'Pimiento L,' 'Lipstick'

Best Spicy Peppers for Container Gardening

Jalapeño Peppers

Jalapeños are popular for container gardening thanks to their manageable size and high yield. These spicy peppers are versatile and commonly used in salsas, pickling, and other dishes. The 'Early Jalapeño' variety matures quickly, ideal for shorter growing seasons.
Top Varieties: 'Early Jalapeño,' 'Jalapeño M'

Cayenne Peppers

Cayenne peppers are known for their slender, hot fruits. They produce long, bright red peppers perfect for drying and making hot pepper flakes or powders.
Top Varieties: 'Cayenne Long Thin,' 'Cayenne Red'

Habanero Peppers

Habanero peppers are an excellent option for those who love intense heat. Though they require warm conditions to thrive, their compact size makes them ideal for planter boxes. Habaneros produce small, lantern-shaped fruits with a fiery kick, commonly used in hot sauces and spicy dishes.
Top Varieties: 'Orange Habanero,' 'Chocolate Habanero'

Serrano Peppers

Serrano peppers are slightly smaller and spicier than jalapeños. They produce small, slender green or red peppers and are great for adding a kick to fresh salsas.
Top Varieties: 'Serrano Chili,' 'Serrano Tampiqueno'

Thai Peppers

Thai peppers are compact plants that are well-suited for small gardening containers. They produce tiny, hot peppers used in Asian cooking and hot sauces. Their small size makes them both decorative and functional, adding a vibrant touch to your patio or balcony.
Top Varieties: 'Thai Hot,' 'Bird’s Eye Chili'

Preparing the Soil for Your Peppers

Your potting mix encourages plant growth, flowering, and bountiful harvests.

Peppers grow best in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. The soil must include the right balance of nutrients while allowing excess water to drain. A good soil mix for peppers in planter boxes typically includes garden soil, compost, and perlite or vermiculite. The latter two help improve aeration and drainage.

Peppers benefit from a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 5.5 and 7.0. You can test your soil with a simple pH test kit. Then, adjust it by adding lime to raise the pH or sulfur to lower it.

Feeding your pepper plants regularly is essential, as they are moderate to heavy feeders. Start by mixing a slow-release fertilizer into the soil before planting. After that, provide a steady supply of nutrients as the plants grow. A water-soluble fertilizer with a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (7-7-7) will do the trick.

Planting Your Container Pepper Plants

When planting peppers, you can start with seeds or purchase seedlings. Starting from seeds allows for a wider variety of options. However, seedlings are a quicker way to start and are generally hardier.

If you start from seeds, plant them indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date. Once the weather warms up, transplant them into your planter box.

Pepper plants need plenty of space to grow properly. Plant most varieties at least 12-18 inches apart to ensure the roots have enough room to expand. When planting seedlings, bury them slightly more deeply than in their original containers to encourage strong root growth.

Container peppers are generally smaller and more compact than other vegetables. Nevertheless, they still benefit from support as they grow taller and produce fruit. Use small stakes or cages to support the plants and keep the stems from bending under the weight of the fully ripened peppers.

Watering and Mulching Container Grown Peppers

Peppers need consistent moisture to thrive, but they don't like soggy soil. Water your peppers deeply and regularly, especially during dry spells. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Inconsistent watering can develop blossom end rot, common in sweet and spicy pepper varieties.

Eliminate Guesswork with Self-Watering Planter Boxes

Self-watering planter boxes are an excellent option for growing peppers. These containers have a water reservoir that provides a steady moisture supply to the plant's roots through capillary action.

Consequently, your pepper plants always have access to the right amount of water. But you eliminate the risk of overwatering or letting the soil dry out.

Advantages of Self-Watering Gardening Containers

• Consistent Moisture Levels: Self-watering containers prevent fluctuations in soil moisture that can stress pepper plants. That's particularly beneficial for peppers, which need a consistent water supply for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Reduced Watering Frequency: The built-in reservoir reduces the watering frequency, making it easier to care for your plants, especially during hot weather or when you're away from home.
• Water Conservation: These planting boxes conserve water by minimizing evaporation and ensuring water goes directly to the plant's roots. That's a plus, especially in areas with water restrictions or during dry periods.
• Healthier Root Systems: Self-watering gardening containers promote root growth. As the plants draw water from the reservoir below, it encourages stronger, more resilient plants.

Self-watering containers, like those from EarthBox, offer convenience and efficiency for container pepper plants. They reduce the likelihood of common watering-related problems and help plants thrive. Self-watering garden boxes can become a green thumb’s best friend!

Feeding and Fertilizing Container Peppers

Peppers, especially sweet varieties, are moderate to heavy feeders. They require regular feeding to produce healthy, flavorful fruit. Start by adding a slow-release fertilizer to the soil when planting. As the plants grow, feed them with a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

You can also opt for a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium to support flowering and fruiting. For example, a fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 5-10-10 or 3-4-6 works well for peppers. However, be cautious with high-nitrogen fertilizers, as too much nitrogen can lead to lush, green plants with fewer fruits.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Peppers are susceptible to pests and diseases, even in planter boxes. Common pests that attack pepper plants include aphids, spider mites, and pepper weevils. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of infestation, such as small holes in leaves or sticky residue. If you spot pests, spray your plants with water to dislodge them, or use organic insecticidal soap or neem oil.

To prevent diseases, avoid overhead watering, which can promote fungal issues, and ensure your planter boxes have adequate drainage. Keeping the leaves dry and the soil properly aerated helps prevent fungal problems like powdery mildew and root rot.

Harvesting Tips for Container Pepper Plants

Knowing when and how to harvest your peppers ensures you get the best flavor from your plants. You can pick spicy peppers like jalapeños and habaneros when fully colored. They usually turn green, red, or orange. The longer they're left on the plant, the spicier they become.

You can harvest sweet peppers when they reach the desired size. Bell peppers typically turn green to red, yellow, or orange as they ripen. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, wait until they change color before picking.

To harvest peppers, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the pepper from the plant, leaving a small part of the stem attached. That prevents damage to the plant, which can continue producing more peppers throughout the growing season.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Container-Grown Peppers

While peppers are generally easy to grow, you might encounter a few common problems:

• Blossom Drop occurs when pepper flowers fall off before they can produce fruit. That often stems from extreme temperatures or inconsistent watering. Keep your plants consistently watered and shaded during extremely hot periods.
• Sun Scald: Peppers exposed to intense sunlight for extended periods may develop white or brown spots. To prevent this, provide some afternoon shade or use shade cloth during the hottest part of the day.
• Slow Growth: Check the soil for nutrient deficiencies or improper watering if your pepper plants grow slowly. Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer and maintaining consistent moisture will help boost growth.

EarthBox is the Top Choice of Successful Container Gardeners

Growing spicy and sweet peppers in planter boxes is a fun and rewarding experience. It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned pro or someone looking to find their green thumb.

EarthBox helps ensure your success. Their planter boxes and growing system are lab-tested to guarantee results. Plus, you get virtually everything you need to get off to the perfect start. Add suitable potting soil and your plants, and you'll watch your container peppers thrive.

Basic systems start at just $43.00, a small price for a bountiful pepper harvest!