How to grow hot peppers on a windowsill?

Growing hot peppers, other vegetables, and herbs on windowsills is gaining popularity these days. To meet this ever-growing demand, plant breeders are developing varieties that fit easily on windowsills.

Hot pepper on the window

Hot or bitter peppers are used in cooking. Ornamental varieties combine flavor with attractive appearance. The variety of fruit colors and even leaves allows them to complement kitchen decor. Growing hot peppers on a windowsill is not difficult. The bush grows up to 50 cm tall. One plant produces 50 fruits, a harvest that lasts 5-6 years, as peppers are perennials.

Seed material

Achieving a high yield is possible only if the right variety is selected. The following varieties are popular among experienced gardeners.

The main secret to a bountiful harvest is that by the time of the first flowering (early February), fall-sown peppers have developed strong, well-developed roots. From March to early October, a period of abundant sunshine, peppers actively set fruit and use their energy to fill out their fruit.

Indian summer

This variety tolerates low light levels well. The bush's appearance is decorative due to the fruit's changing color depending on the stage of ripening. This hot pepper variety is suitable for growing not only on a windowsill but also in a traditional garden. When placing containers, it's important to remember that the bush is formed by numerous branches.

To obtain seedlings, it is recommended to sow the seeds in late February or early March. For continuous growth, the plant is transplanted into prepared containers in late May. Space the plants 30 cm apart.

The Babye Leto variety is characterized by an extended fruiting period. This means tomatoes can be harvested from July to October. This vegetable is suitable for canning and as an addition to salads, meat, and fish dishes.

Rowanberry

This is a mid-early variety. The fruits are round, intensely spicy, and orange or purple in color. They don't form tight clusters, which is why this hot pepper is called ornamental, although the fruits are used in cooking and even in the production of spirits.

Firework

Suitable for growing in open ground, on balconies, or on windowsills. A mature plant reaches 20 cm in height. Harvesting begins four months after sowing. The cone-shaped fruits grow in clusters. The surface is smooth or ribbed. When ready for harvest, the peppers are a rich green or orange color.

Medusa F1

A new hybrid variety. The bush grows up to 40 cm tall. The fruits are long and grow in clusters, resembling the tentacles of a jellyfish. The harvest period is July to September. It's important to remember that growing this hot pepper on a windowsill from seeds obtained from its own fruits will not work. This is because Medusa F1 is a first-generation hybrid and does not produce seeds.

The Queen of Spades

Peppers are distinguished by their decorative appearance, and they thrive even in low-light conditions. The bush is spherical and grows up to 30 cm. The cone-shaped fruits grow upward. The harvest is from July to October. When ripe, the peppers are red.

Read also:

• Growing tomatoes on a windowsill in an apartment
• Watercress: Growing on a Windowsill

Features of cultivation in an apartment

To successfully grow hot peppers on a windowsill, you need high-quality soil that can provide the plants with the minerals they need for growth.

Experienced gardeners mix the following components to prepare a nutrient substrate:

• compost;
• peat;
• sand;
• humus;
• Earth;
• peat.

Another option is to mix soil with humus and peat. Both substrates allow you to successfully grow hot peppers on a windowsill.

Specialty stores sell humus, a substrate produced by earthworms. Earthworms feed on compost and humus, and the result of their digestive system is humus.

To avoid dirty work, it is recommended to use ready-made mixtures that are suitable for growing tomatoes, eggplants, and, of course, peppers.

Soil is poured into prepared containers onto a drainage layer. The seed is sown on top and covered with the remaining soil. The layer thickness is 1 cm. Interestingly, there are constant debates on specialized forums regarding the correctness of this or that sowing method.

Some gardeners sow seeds in a larger container and, after the seedlings emerge, select the most viable plants. This method offers the convenience of creating a larger greenhouse rather than covering each individual container with seeds.

Those who advocate sowing peppers in individual containers argue that peppers don't tolerate transplanting well, which can lead to disease. Transplantation is the preferred method for transplanting.

It is recommended to start planting pepper seeds in the last days of February and finish in the tenth of March.

Be sure to cover the container with plastic film to create greenhouse conditions and place it in a warm location. After two weeks, you can expect the first shoots to emerge. The appearance of the third leaf is a signal to begin transplanting into permanent containers. Some varieties require pinching to encourage branching. This procedure is performed when the plant reaches a height of 20 cm.

Peppers have a well-developed root system, which reduces the root ball's volume. Given their abundant fruiting, this requires regular fertilization with weak fertilizer solutions.

After harvesting, the pepper plant is rejuvenated by replanting it in a container with fresh soil. During this process, it's important to maintain the integrity of the root system.

Cultivation errors

When growing hot peppers on a windowsill, inexperienced gardeners make mistakes that lead to reduced yields and plant death.

Lots of water

Peppers are heat-loving crops. Therefore, the root system suffers when watered with cold water. Root rot is also caused by overwatering.

Rapid soil drying out in apartments is caused by central heating. This requires frequent watering—every two days. A damp cloth placed on the radiator can slow moisture evaporation. Installing a humidifier or split-system air conditioner in the room also helps protect hot peppers from drying out.

Pinching the center of the root system

Some forums recommend pinching the central root system during transplanting. This is the biggest mistake when growing and caring for peppers. This will result in prolonged plant illness and possible loss of flowering.

Pests

Spider mites and aphids are common pests on pepper plants. These pests are brought indoors by drafts. Inexperienced gardeners often remove these pests. Maintaining adequate humidity can help prevent pests. However, if an infestation does occur, the plant should be treated with biological insecticides as soon as possible.

November

Leaf drop occurs in plants that are moved from open or indoor soil to a pot in the fall. Growing in natural conditions requires ample natural light. Consequently, leaf drop is the plant's response to insufficient light. This can be corrected by installing special lamps. Another method for growing hot peppers on a windowsill is pruning. It's important to remember that after this procedure, a harvest will have to wait until summer.