A recent gardening trend is to plant colorful peppers in the landscape, in containers, and in vegetable garden beds. There are several different sizes and shapes of plants, and many sizes, shapes, and colors of the fruit.
Hot peppers are used worldwide more than any other spice. Salsa is now consumed more than ketchup, and peppers are one of the main ingredients in it. They’re favored for many ethnic dishes. In the USA, they’re increasingly popular in Cajun, Creole, and Southwestern cuisines.
Peppers are grouped as sweet bell, sweet non-bell, and hot. If allowed to mature before picking the fruit, the sweet varieties develop more color, sweet flavor, and also higher vitamin A and C content. They contain six times more vitamin C than oranges.
Young hot pepper plants in a garden.
Pepper Varieties
Hot pepper varieties require more days to mature. The flavor is measured in Scoville units, where the higher the number is, the hotter the pepper. Some mild varieties with about 3,000 units are:
- Anaheim Chilies
- Ancho (Poblano)
- Garden Salsa
- Paprika
- Jalapeno
Medium-hot varieties:
- Hot Banana
- Cascabel
- Jalapeno (Chipoties)
- Pasillas
- Rocotillo.
Hot varieties:
- Chili de Arbol
- Serran
- Hot Yellow Wax are hot varieties
Very pungent:
- Cayennes
- Chiltepin (Piquin)
- Tabasco are very pungent
Extremely hot:
- Chiltepin
- Habaneros (215,000 units)
- Jamaica Scotch Bonnet
- Thai Dragon
I have two specialty seed catalogs that list 39 bell, 25 non-bell, and 76 hot pepper varieties.
Red and green chili peppers from the garden.
Soil Conditions for Peppers
Soil temperature needs to be 80 to 90 degrees F to germinate seeds. Peppers need about 50 percent more time than tomato seeds. The seedlings should be replanted in one-inch pots and later to four-inch pots before being set out to grow and produce.
Pepper plants should be moved to the outside two to four weeks later than tomato plants. They’re easy to grow in five-gallon containers with wire cages to prevent wind damage. Pepper stems are brittle and break easily.
Soil needs to be more than 65 degrees F, moist and fertile, so that peppers grow fast and develop fruit before hot temperatures arrive. Peppers need nighttime temperatures above 65 degrees and daytime less than 80 to 90 degrees F. to develop fruit. The young plants may be stunted if air and/or soil temperatures are lower. If you apply too much fertilizer, they’ll grow into large plants, but won’t produce much fruit.
Peppers may be consumed fresh, cooked, preserved, dried, or used to make salsa or other sauces.
Hot peppers growing in a terra cotta pot.
FAQ: Growing Hot Peppers
1. What’s the best time to plant hot peppers in Southern California?
A: Plant your hot peppers after the last frost in spring, typically from March to April, when the soil temperature reaches at least 65°F.
2. Can I grow hot peppers in pots?
A: Hot peppers thrive in pots with proper drainage. Use a pot size of at least 3 gallons for optimal growth.
3. How much sunlight do hot peppers need?
A: Hot peppers need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In Southern California’s sunny climate, this requirement is easily met.
4. How often should I water my hot pepper plants?
A: Water hot pepper plants deeply once the top inch of soil feels dry. In the hotter months, this might mean watering every day or two.
5. What kind of soil is best for growing hot peppers?
A: Hot peppers prefer well-draining, loamy to sandy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
6. Do hot peppers need fertilizer?
A: Fertilize your hot peppers with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting, and then switch to a high-potassium fertilizer once they start flowering and setting fruit.
7. How should I deal with pests on my hot pepper plants?
A: In Southern California, common pests include aphids and spider mites. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil as an organic control method.
8. Can hot weather affect hot pepper plants?
A: Extreme heat above 90°F can affect flower pollination. Provide partial shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent this.
9. When are hot peppers ready to harvest?
A: Usually 60-90 days after transplanting. Look for firm, brightly colored, fully-sized peppers.
10. How can I increase the heat level of my hot peppers?
A: Stressing the plants slightly by reducing water or increasing sun exposure can lead to hotter peppers. However, don’t over-stress them, as this can harm the plant.