Jalapeno pepper plants happily grow in pots when given all they need. Start with five-gallon containers filled with a rich soil mix. Then, put the pots in a full sun location and water regularly. Add fertilizer every two weeks, and then eagerly await your pepper harvests. By following this process, your peppers will grow great in containers. In fact, if you provide protection from cold temperatures, your plants will thrive in their container for up to 10 years.
6 Tips for Taking Care of Jalapeno Plants in Pots
With the right approach, your potted jalapeno plants can produce up to 30 peppers each. You can then eat them fresh or preserve your bounty for your enjoyment year-round. Here’s how to get the most from container-grown jalapenos.
Choose the Right Pots
Each jalapeno plant needs its own five-gallon pot. You can use nursery containers, decorative pots, or even five-gallon buckets. Make sure the container you select has several holes in the bottom for proper drainage. If not, create them with a drill. Your plants may look tiny in the pots at first. But they will fill out the space nicely in a month or so. When full-grown, the roots will reach 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) in length.
Plant in a Rich Soil Mix
Make your own rich potting soil by mixing equal parts peat moss, garden soil, and sand. Pour it into the five-gallon containers but leave a few inches open at the top. Mix 1 cup (240 ml) vermiculite and 2.5 tablespoons (40 ml) of organic vegetable fertilizer into each container of soil. This soil mix will drain well yet stay moist around the roots. Plant 3–5 seeds in a ¼ inch (6 mm) deep hole. Then, cover the hole with soil and water.
Pick a Warm, Full Sun Location
Choose a full sun location in the 85°F (29°C) range. Jalapeno peppers love to get at least 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Although they can tolerate partial shade, they won’t grow as fast. In ideal conditions, your seeds will likely germinate within 10 days. Thin out the seedlings to one per pot once they sprout. Let the seedlings grow for about two weeks, and then add mulch to the top of the containers.
Water on a Set Schedule
Aim to give your jalapenos 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water every week. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. If possible, set up a drip irrigation system to water your plants on a set schedule. This system delivers water directly to the soil without splashing the leaves, flowers, or fruits. Otherwise, use a single spout watering can to carefully water around the base of the plants.
Add Stakes for Support
Add a stake to each container after the seedlings get established. Gently tie the jalapeno plants to the stakes using twine after the first flowers appear. The stakes will provide much-needed support once the fruit sets. Too much fruit can cause your plants to fall over otherwise.
Apply Fertilizer Often
Apply an organic vegetable fertilizer every two weeks after planting your seeds. Give each container 2.5 tablespoons (40 ml) of granulated fertilizer all around the base of the plant. Or you can put liquid fertilizer in the water if you prefer. At first, the fertilizer will promote rapid vegetative growth. This helps create hardy stems and branches that can support lots of peppers. Then, the extra nutrients will help create lots of peppers. Stop fertilizing your plants two weeks before the last harvest.
A big harvest of spicy jalapeno peppers will serve as your reward for all this hard work. Every plant will likely give you up to 30 peppers. You can then eat them raw, use them in your meals, or preserve them for later.
Do Jalapeno Peppers Grow Well in Containers?
Jalapeno peppers grow quite well in containers. Each plant needs a five-gallon pot filled with rich soil. Then, you just need to put them in a sunny location and water regularly. Don’t forget to add organic vegetable fertilizer every two weeks as well.
- Jalapeno pepper plants thrive in five-gallon containers.
- They need rich soil, full sun, and regular water.
- Organic vegetable fertilizer every two weeks helps, too.
- Don’t forget to use stakes to give them extra support.
- Tie the plants to the stakes as they grow to keep them upright.
The plants grow so well, in fact, that they often need extra support. A stake in each pot works best. Then, just tie the plants to the stake as they grow tall. The ties will keep the plant upright as heavy fruit sets.
How Long Does a Potted Jalapeno Plant Live?
Jalapeno pepper plants will live for decades if kept out of the cold. Just bring them inside in the early fall or keep them in a heated greenhouse year-round. They will still need exposure to bright sunlight to thrive. So, pick a sunny location for the pots while they’re indoors.
- Jalapeno plants can live for 10 years or more when kept out of the cold.
- You can keep your potted jalapenos going year after year by bringing them inside once temperatures begin to drop below 60℉ (16℃).
- Putting your jalapeno plants in a heated greenhouse can help them survive winter.
- Jalapeno plants should still get full sun each day to truly thrive.
- Most jalapeno pepper plants only grow for one season.
Most people grow jalapeno peppers as an annual. They will start the seeds right after the last frost. Then, the plants will reach maturity in about 70–85 days. Harvests continue until days grow shorter and temperatures drop below 65°F (18°C).
Caring for Potted Jalapeno Pepper Plants
You can grow jalapeno pepper plants in pots quite easily. You just need to use five-gallon containers and fill them with a rich soil mix. Then, put the plants in bright sunlight and water regularly. Add organic vegetable fertilizer every two weeks as well.
- Jalapeno pepper plants grow well in containers.
- Use five-gallon pots filled with rich potting soil.
- Put the plants in bright sunlight and water often.
- Add organic vegetable fertilizer every two weeks.
- Keep your plants well supported with stakes and ties.
With the right care, your jalapenos will reward you with lots of spicy peppers. You can then enjoy them any way you like, including fresh, pickled, and dried.
