How Often to Water Bell Pepper Plants in a House

Grow one bell pepper plant per container.

Bell pepper plants grow well in containers and make suitable indoor plants if you can provide them with a sunny area in your home. Watering bell peppers properly is an essential part of their care. Other factors, such as the containers and soil medium, are also important because they directly relate to how effective the water you provide will hold and drain.

Container Selection

Selecting the right container is essential to growing a successful bell pepper plant. It needs to have at least one drainage hole for the water to drain out. If not, the bottoms of the roots stand in too much soggy soil, which will stunt growth and cause problems. Drill one or two 1/2- to 5/8-inch holes in the bottom if necessary. In addition, bell peppers require a pot that holds at least 2 gallons of soil and is at least 8 to 12 inches deep for proper root growth. They can potentially grow several feet tall. Only plant one bell pepper plant per container.

Soil Medium

What kind of soil you use for growing bell peppers and other container vegetables is important. Avoid potting mixes labeled as soilless. They are too light; the plant stems and roots will not have good support. Ideally, choose an all-purpose potting soil available in garden supply stores. It will adequately support bell pepper plants and will retain moisture well. You could also make your own as a cheaper option, using one part coarse sand, one part peat moss and one part loamy garden soil.

Watering Your Plant

Water container bell peppers enough to keep the soil evenly moist. Slowly water the plant until the water seeps out the drainage hole. Pour out excess water that collects in the saucer underneath so it's not sitting in water. Don't let the soil dry out too much because bell peppers are heavy drinkers. Feel an inch beneath the soil; when it's dry, it's time to water again. Indoors, you will not have to water your plants as much as you would outdoors. Usually about two to three times a week will suffice. If you place the bell pepper in an outdoor space during warm weather, you'll most likely need to water it one or two times a day.

Watering Tips

Add mulch around the base of your plant. Wood chips or rocks work well indoors. Mulch helps reduce evaporation and prevents the sun from drying out the soil quickly. Clay and other porous containers evaporate water out the sides, so they may more need waterings than plastic and other types of pots.

References

• Arizona Cooperative Extension: Vegetable Garden: Conatainer Garden
• Bella Online; Growing Sweet Bell Peppers in Containers; Jessica Carson
• Texas A&M University: Pepper