How to Grow an Ornamental Pepper Plant
Ornamental pepper plants grow well indoors or outside in hanging baskets and pots. Gardeners grow these plants for their ornamental appearance, not for eating. The peppers usually grow less than 2 inches with hot fruit. These plants produce white flowers and peppers that appear in late summer or early fall. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Grow Plants
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Purchase seeds or plants from a nursery or garden center.
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Look for a full sun location. Grow in a south or west window, or display in a sunny accent area outside.
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Plant ornamental pepper plants in a container suitable for a 1- to 2-foot spread. Use pots with drain holes and dishes. Expect an average height between 16 to 20 inches for the popular Capsicum annuum.
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Prepare the container with potting soil that has good drainage. Obtain a bag at a local garden outlet.
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Keep the soil moist without overwatering.
Grow From Seeds
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Plant seeds indoors about 2 months before the last spring frost. Sow in a container of potting soil. Read the speed package for any instruction variations.
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Place the container in an area with 75 to 80 degrees F for germination. Allow about 10 days for seedlings to emerge.
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Water the soil to keep it moist.
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Transplant sturdy and stocky ornamental plants into pots. Place the plant a couple of inches into the potted soil, enough to cover the roots, then fill in with soil.
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Tips & Warnings
Watch for water sitting in the draining dish. Empty the dish after watering so the plant doesn't sit in the water. Too much water causes root rot.
When the ornamental pepper plant leans toward the window or it develops thin stems, it needs more light. Grow lights provide the necessary light when an inside window isn't suitable. If you use a grow light, place it about 6 inches above the plant for 14 hours per day.
Pests include spider mites, aphids and borers. Use a light water-and-soap spray or see a local gardening center for a proper pesticide.
