I probably shouldn’t say this out loud, but I am very happy with the way my pepper plants are growing! I have yet to pick a pepper, but my fingers are crossed.
Peppers are a vegetable I would LOVE to have growing in my yard. I like them sweet or hot, and preferably would have both types to choose from. I use peppers quite a bit in my cooking, but currently I have to buy them at the store.
You’d think that in this hot climate peppers would grow like mad. In fact, I’ve had bell pepper plants (photos below) that lasted for a few years. But getting a good plant started, and have it grow lovely peppers, can be a challenge.
I still don’t have a car, so the best way for me to grow peppers is to order seeds. Also, most stores / nurseries around here don’t offer the types of pepper I want to grow. If you can buy seedlings to grow, of a variety that works for our climate, that is the way to go. Seeds take forever to turn into lovely plants.
How I Grow Peppers From Seed Successfully
The way to be successful growing peppers, is to plant seeds outside in grow boxes. Plant lots of seeds because most of them may not grow.
Once the little pepper plants grow big enough, separate them by transplanting so each plant has space to grow big. Make sure all soil is full of good nutrients.
The Ancho poblano pepper plants, shown below, were started from seed in the red (faded to pink) grow box. I left one plant in the box and the other two were each given their own fabric pot. I love the flavor, which is not extremely hot when eaten green. I really hope these pepper plants grow well.
These plants were quite tall when I transplanted them because I had been away for two weeks. Usually I would transplant sooner.
*Update on the poblano: Suddenly the two plants in the grow bags drooped horribly. they ended up dying. I still have the one in the square box.
Aji Dulce and Suave NuMex
The Aji Dulce plants were growing side by side in a small pot. I didn’t know if they would separate well, but both plants are doing great. I think the trick is to let them get a good root system established before separating.
The Nu Mex variety (below) were also growing in a red box. Once they were big enough, I transplanted one to a plastic pot, leaving the other in the red box.
Be sure to mark the plants in some way because pepper plants can look a lot alike. Both of these varieties will have peppers that resemble a habanero, but they don’t have the heat.
Pepper plants started from seed are slow growing! You must have patience to grow peppers.
Carolina Wonder Bell
As an example of what I do, see the box in the photo below. It contains Carolina Wonder Bell pepper plants. I had two larger plants in this box and transplanted one to a big pot. There are still two tiny seedlings coming along (circled), which I will also transplant when they grow up. The remaining plant will stay in this box to continue to grow.
Don’t Bother With Starting Plants in Small Pots
I’ve found that growing peppers from seed can be difficult. The seeds germinate, and the pepper begins to grow and then, just when I think it will be fine, the thing curls up and dies. This was my experience over the “winter” when I planted seeds in little pots.
Plants do best when growing outdoors. Some people may disagree, but I have little luck with starting seeds and caring for seedlings properly. They have proven this to me by getting bugs and dying. Or, they die once they go outside. In fact the only seedlings that are now growing in the yard, and doing very well, are the Roselle hibiscus.
In Florida, we have only a few months (central Florida) where a frost, or freeze, happens. December through February are the usual months to worry about. We can also get very warm days in these months. To be sure the little seedlings won’t freeze, planting outside should take place in March.
Grow Peppers For the South
In our hot and humid Florida climate, certain types of pepper do better than others. This year I have planted all three varieties mentioned on this page and they seem to be doing well, so far.
But take into consideration that I sprinkled seeds all over these boxes and ended up with only a couple of good pepper plants from each variety! But, let’s face it, how many pepper plants does one person need? If these all do well, and give me peppers, I will be more than pleased.
More Tips and Tricks For Pepper Success
- Pepper plants can continue to grow for a few years in zone 9b. I had a bell pepper that remained outside all winter and survived! But if the plant is in a movable pot, or fabric bag (paid link to Amazon), it can come inside during cold spells.
- Peppers in pots can also be moved into shade if the sun becomes too much in mid-summer. Right now, most of my peppers are in locations that get afternoon shade. (I put up a beach umbrella for them too.)
- Pots will hold nutrients and fertilizer better than the ground.
- Pots help keep critters (raccoons and armadillos) from digging up plants.
- Give them nutrients. Epsom salts (paid link to Amazon) give peppers and tomatoes the magnesium that they need. I also mix bone meal, kelp meal, blood meal, worm castings, vermiculite, compost, and whatever else I have, into the soil.
- For more information about growing Florida peppers, view this Video by the Urban Harvest.
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