10 Tips to Make Peppers Grow Faster and Produce More

Peppers are a popular and rewarding crop to grow, whether you prefer sweet bell peppers or hot pepper plants such as jalapeños and habaneros. However, they can sometimes be slow to grow and produce fruit. If you want to maximize your pepper plants' growth and yield, follow these 10 expert tips to make your peppers grow faster and produce more.

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10 Tips to Make Peppers Grow Faster and Produce More

I love to grow sweet peppers, jalapenos, and a habanero plant in my greenhouse. Growing them in my greenhouse means that my growing season is expended, and I don't actually need to try and get my pepper plants to produce faster, but it doesn't mean I get more.

Choose the Right Pepper Varieties

Not all peppers grow at the same speed. Some varieties, like early jalapeños and mini bell peppers, mature faster than larger varieties such as poblano or bell peppers. If you're looking for a quick harvest, choose fast-maturing varieties suited to your climate.

Some fast-maturing pepper varities to keep in mind:

Sweet Chocolate Bell Peppers: These delicious 3-4″ chocolate-colored bell peppers are ready for harvest just 57 days after planting! They're delicious on salads, stuffed, or added to recipes for wonderful sweet pepper flavor. Also easy to snack on right in the garden!

Shishito Pepper: The sweet Shishito Pepper is a favorite pepper among gourmet gardeners and chefs for their amazing flavor, early & continual harvests. Shishitos are ready to harvest earlier than most peppers at around 60 days.

Lemon Spice Jalapenos: If you like hot peppers, then make sure to grow the early harvesting Lemon Spice Pepper, which takes about 65 days to harvest. These are HOT peppers with 30,000 Scovilles! Not your typical jalapeño! 

NuMex Jalapeño Orange Spice: This new hot and colorful orange jalapeño is great in the home garden along with yellow and green japlapeños. These hot orange Jalapeños also ripen earlier than most other peppers at just 65 days, so they're great for short seasons.

Start Seeds Indoors Early

The best way to get a head start in growing peppers is to start pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost gives them a head start. Check your last frost date for updated information. I double-check it every year to be on the safe side. Peppers need warm temperatures to germinate, ideally between 75-85°F (24-29°C). Using a heat mat can improve germination rates and speed up seedling growth.

Watch the main stem under your grow light or sunlight to make sure that the light is not too far or too close to the plants. Too high above the plants will cause leggy plants which can result in a weaker plant with less pepper production, and less sturdy plants. 

Growing conditions need to be perfect from the moment you plant those pepper seeds in the seed trays or peat pots.

I have never used seedling heat mats, so that may be something you might want to try as well to get warm soil for your pepper seedlings.

Harden Off Seedlings Before Transplanting

Before moving your pepper seedlings or plants outdoors, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. This process strengthens the plants and reduces transplant shock, allowing them to be established quickly in your garden bed.

I like to wait until my greenhouse is warm consistently (20°C) and then move them directly to my greenhouse. It works for me because I often forget my plants outside when hardening them off and then a frost will kill my young plants and then I have to go buy plants.

Peppers thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. Whether you are planting in an outdoor garden or a greenhouse, ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Greenhouses offer controlled environments and extended growing seasons, making them an excellent choice for pepper cultivation.

Improve Soil Quality

Peppers prefer nutrient-rich soil, preferably well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Adding compost or well-rotted manure boosts fertility. A mix of loamy soil and organic matter enhances moisture retention while allowing proper drainage. 

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for pepper plants that helps them grow leaves, produce fruit, and support photosynthesis. But when pepper plants receive too much nitrogen, they will produce excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit production, meaning they will have lush green foliage but fewer peppers, as the plant prioritizes leaf development over flower and fruit set. This can lead to stunted fruit production and potentially delayed flowering. This is going to prevent you from getting your best pepper harvest.

Keep Soil Warm

Peppers grow best when the soil temperature is consistently above 70°F (21°C). To warm the soil early in the season, use black mulch or plant them in raised beds. Greenhouses naturally maintain higher temperatures, helping peppers grow faster.

Use Proper Spacing and Support

Overcrowding can slow growth and reduce air circulation, increasing the risk of disease. You want to plant peppers at least 12-18 inches apart. Taller varieties benefit from staking or caging to support heavy fruit loads and prevent breakage. I use tall tomato cages for my pepper plants and move the branches as needed as it grows to make sure they grow up through the cage and also gets good air circulation.

Water Consistently but Avoid Overwatering

Peppers need regular watering, especially during flowering and fruit development. Aim for deep watering 1-2 times per week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Excess water can lead to root rot and slow growth. 

You may need to water more often depending on where you have your pepper plant growing. 

Feed with Balanced Fertilizer

Applying a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) every 2-3 weeks supports healthy growth. Use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer during flowering to promote fruit production. Organic options like compost tea or fish emulsion work well, too. I love my fish liquid fertilizers as it's easy to add to my water can when watering.

Encourage Pollination and Prune Wisely

For maximum yields, encourage pollination by growing flowers nearby to attract bees. If growing peppers in a greenhouse, gently shake flowers or hand-pollinate them. Pruning lower leaves and non-productive branches directs energy to fruit production. 

Watching for Problems and Pests

There are a few different things that might crop up and affect your harvest. 

Spider mites damage pepper plants by sucking nutrients from the leaves, causing yellowing, stippling, and drying. They can also cause stunted growth and reduced fruit production. You can prevent spider mites by keeping plants hydrated, reducing dust, and quarantining new plants. 

Aphids are another issue that you might come up against. It's my biggest hurdle each year! Squishing the aphids without damaging the leaves can be effective. Also, the application of soapy water to the undersides of the leaves may reduce the aphid populations. One of the best ways to get rid of or prevent them though is to get some ladybugs! Aphids will make the fruit, flowers, and leaves drop from mature plants quickly if not treated.

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects pepper plants, causing a white, powdery growth on the leaves. You can apply a protectant fungicide when you first notice powdery mildew, such as a sulfur-containing organic fungicide for prevention and treatment.

By following these 10 tips, you can make your peppers grow faster and produce more. Whether you're growing sweet or hot varieties, indoors or outdoors, proper care and attention to their needs will result in a bountiful harvest. Happy growing!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Making Peppers Grow Faster

How long does it take for pepper plants to produce fruit? The time it takes for peppers to produce fruit varies by variety. Most peppers take between 60-90 days from transplanting to start producing. Fast-growing varieties, like jalapeños, may produce sooner.

Can I grow peppers indoors year-round? Yes! Peppers can be grown indoors if they receive enough light. Use grow lights or place them near a south-facing window to ensure they get at least 12-14 hours of light daily.

What is the best fertilizer for pepper plants? A balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 works well during early growth. During flowering and fruiting, switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage fruit production.

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