For those of you reading this article who have had the pleasure of tasting freshly grown jalapeno peppers, you’ll know that they’re one of the best things you can grow.
By comparing them to store bought jalapeno peppers, you’ll realize that they’re completely unmatched, and are worth harvesting yourself.
They’re much spicier, and packed to the brim with flavor, giving you an incredibly satisfying result.
In addition, they’re also a really good option for those who are just getting started out with gardening, because they’re one the easiest to take care of.
Perhaps one of the most common questions being, can you grow your jalapeno peppers in a pot?
This is a question that many people ask, simply because they don’t have the space to grow them in a garden setting.
Therefore, we’re going to be taking a look at all of the ins and outs of growing your jalapeno peppers in a pot, providing you with a handy guide that will answer all of your questions.
To find out more, simply keep reading below, as we take a closer look.
Can I Grow Jalapeno Peppers In A Pot?
Now, why don’t we just jump straight in and answer the question at hand. Can you grow jalapeno peppers in a pot? The simple answer is, yes, you can absolutely grow jalapeno peppers in a pot.
You can even do so indoors. So, if you’re somebody who lives in an apartment, and you still want to grow some fruits or vegetables, jalapenos make an excellent choice.
In fact, jalapeno peppers are considered to be particularly adept at growing inside of pots, and are very much suited towards this way of living.
In terms of how you can grow your jalapeno peppers successfully in a pot, we would recommend purchasing one that can take around 5 gallons worth of soil.
As well as this, make sure that the pot has adequate space for drainage at the bottom, so that the water has somewhere to escape.
You’ll want to make sure that your plant is South facing if you’re growing it in an apartment, where it can get lots and lots of sunlight.
Make sure that you pick the best spot in the house, so that it has plenty of light to thrive.
If you live somewhere that’s quite shaded, and you think your jalapeno peppers might not be exposed to enough sunlight, then it might be a good idea to invest in a grow light.
The good thing about growing jalapeno peppers in a pot though, is that they can be moved according to where the sunlight is. So, if you notice that the sun’s rays have moved, you can move your plant in the same direction.
Can I Use Seeds From The Supermarket?
This is one of the most commonly received questions that we receive in terms of growing your own jalapeno peppers. Can you use seeds that you’ve obtained from peppers in the supermarket?
The simple answer is, yes, but it might be difficult.
The reason why we wouldn’t recommend that you use seed from store bought jalapenos, is because they’re essentially underripe peppers. This means that they won’t have many seeds that are likely to germinate.
If you want to try doing this anyway, we’d recommend that you gather as many seeds as possible to plant, as this will help to increase your chances.
We would recommend however, that you just purchase some jalapeno seeds online or in your local gardening store. They’re an incredibly popular seed, so you won’t have any difficulty obtaining them.
Make sure that before you purchase your seeds, that you do some research on the particular variety that you’re buying. As with all fruits and vegetables, many different species and varieties exist.
Some varieties will be more adept at growing indoors than others, for example. So, make sure that you’re always choosing a seed which matches your needs.
How To Plant Your Jalapeno Seeds
Now that we’ve covered the fact that jalapenos can be grown indoors and in pots, we can move on to discuss how you can go about doing this.
There are several different steps to follow when it comes to planting your own jalapenos, and some of the most crucial are at the very beginning.
Below, we’re going to be taking a closer look at the process of planting your seeds so that they germinate without any issue.
As we mentioned before, the first step is to make sure that you’ve purchased suitable seeds that have a good chance of germinating in the first place.
After you’ve done this, there are a few things you should do.
Fill Up Your Seed Trays
The first thing you’re going to need to do is to purchase and fill up some seed trays.
Before you place your seeds in the tray, you’re going to want to make sure that the soil is already moist beforehand. Purchase starter soil, which has been fertilized beforehand to help your seeds to germinate.
After you’ve done this, you can begin to fill your trays with the seeds. In each of the different tray spaces, you’re going to want to place approximately three seeds in each.
After you’ve done this, make sure that you’re not pushing them down any further than approximately 0.5cm of soil. You want to make sure that your jalapeno seeds are super close to the surface in order to sprout.
Take Care Of The Soil
After you’ve done this, your key job is to make sure that you take care of the soil, and always make sure that it’s never drying out.
We’re not saying that you should absolutely soak your seeds, but you want to make sure that the conditions are always damp enough.
If you want to make sure that you’re not overwatering the surface of your seeds, then we’d recommend simply using an old spray bottle that you can spritz them with now and again.
Make Sure Soil Is Warm
Another step that you need to follow in order to make sure that your seeds have the best chance at germination is to check that the soil is warm enough.
If the soil is too cold, then your jalapenos will fail at the first stages.
The trays should be approximately 80 degrees fahrenheit, and kept at this level throughout the whole germination process.
If you live somewhere that has a particularly cold climate, and this simply isn’t possible, don’t worry. There are items called seed heating mats which you can purchase, that ensure your jalapeno seeds are always hot enough.
Have Some Patience
The next step is to simply exercise some patience, and wait for your jalapenos to germinate.
We know that this can be the most difficult part of the process, as you simply want to see the results of your work immediately, but you’re going to need to wait approximately 7 days for this to happen.
This is usually how long it takes for jalapeno seeds to germinate. You’ll then notice that the seeds are beginning to sprout, and this is your cue to provide lots and lots of sunlight.
This is an incredibly crucial stage for your jalapeno plant, and it will need lots of warm rays to help it grow.
If you live in an area that doesn’t get very much sunlight, then you’ll need to go ahead and purchase a grow light to help your jalapeno plants along.
You don’t want to go out and purchase one that’s ludicrously expensive, as this simply isn’t necessary.
We’d recommend picking up some LED grow lights, as they tend to be cheaper. As well as this, make sure that you’re keeping your light approximately 4 inches away from the surface of the plants, as they can overheat if the light is too close.
How To Water Your Jalapeno Plants
Now that we’ve covered how to grow your own jalapeno plants, we can move on to discuss one of the most important aspects of care to take into consideration, in order to make sure your jalapenos thrive.
One of the key things that people tend to get wrong when it comes to growing their own jalapeno plants is overwatering. People tend to inundate their plants with lots and lots of water, and this does much more harm than good.
Here are some tips and tricks we’d like to share with you in order to make sure that your jalapeno plant thrives.
Pay Attention To Time – When watering your jalapeno plant, you shouldn’t be doing this at random intervals. There are key points during the day when your plant will require more water than others.
We would always recommend watering your jalapeno plant early in the morning, and late in the evening. Watering it during the middle of the day can be harmful to your pepper plant.
Don’t Water Leaves – Many people when they’re watering their jalapeno plant will let the water trickle all over the leaves. Doing this however, can make them more susceptible to being burnt by the sun’s rays.
Instead, make sure that you’re putting the water directly into the soil itself.
Pay Attention To Weather – Make sure that you’re always paying attention to the weather outside, and that you’re not forgetting to water your plant regularly.
When the weather is particularly sunny outside, your plant will need more attention, so make sure that you’re not neglecting it.
Make Sure It’s Not Too Wet – On the flipside, make sure that you’re not overwatering your plant either. As we mentioned above, this can do far more harm than good for your jalapeno plant.
Make sure that the surface of the soil is dry before watering it again. If you find that it’s still wet, even though it’s been left to dry all day, this means that you’re overwatering it.
How Long Will It Take My Jalapeno Peppers To Grow?
This is another frequently asked question that we receive from readers all the time. How long will it take my jalapeno peppers to grow after I’ve planted them?
Well, this can be determined by looking at the time it took for your seeds to germinate.
Once your seeds have begun to sprout, you can then calculate the time it will take for them to be fully formed. In general, this can take anywhere from 2 to four months.
So, for example, if your jalapeno seeds begin to germinate in April, you can expect to wait until July for your peppers to be fully grown.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, you can absolutely opt to grow your jalapeno peppers in pots. This is a great option for those who live in apartments, and don’t have the gardening space to grow them outdoors.
Jalapeno seeds are a good option for growing in pots, because this means you can move them around according to the direction of the sun’s rays.
As well as this, jalapeno plants are susceptible to failing in poor weather conditions, so growing them indoors where they can be protected can help them to thrive.
Hi, my name is Amelia Haslehurt and I am a food blogger. As you can guess, I am passionate about what I eat, but what is most important to me when reviewing is high quality, fresh, organic, delicious ingredients.
I wanted to create an online space where others could sample some of my favorite recipes, and share in my passion for home-grown produce.
Whether you are looking for vegan recipes, easy recipes, healthy recipes or your favorite yummy snacks to brighten your day, I can help you out here at LocallyGrownGardens.com
