Container Size for Peppers (2024)

FAQs

Container Size for Peppers? ›

Our recommendation is to plant peppers in containers that are at least 3-5 gallons in size. For larger varieties like many Hatch Chile varieties, Bell peppers and Poblanos and, use a larger pot with 5 gallons or more. Find larger sized pots like 12″ - 14″ for much better yields.

Bell pepper plants grow larger than most fiery hot chilis, so starting the plants off in large planters is important. A single bell pepper can grow in a 12-inch pot, but plants will be more productive in 5- to 10-gallon containers.

It is advisable to plant only one bell pepper in a 5-gallon bucket, but if you have a bigger bucket you can plant as much as two or three. You shouldn't grow more than one bell pepper in a 5-gallon bucket because of the bucket's diameter.

We recommend using a container with at least 3 gallons of volume. For bell peppers, the bigger the better. If you have the space for a larger pot, you will get much better yields with 5-10 gallons of volume.

For a single jalapeno plant, a container that is at least 12 inches in diameter and depth is recommended. This size allows sufficient space for root growth and adequate soil to retain moisture. Larger containers can accommodate more plants but ensure each plant has enough space and resources to thrive.

Peppers have long roots. You should choose a container that has a depth of 20 to 40 cm, or even more. Don't worry if your plant seems a little lost in its pot at first, it will only be temporary. Also, make sure your container has drainage holes that allow excess water to drain away effectively.

Brassicas: Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are not good companion plants for peppers as they require similar nutrients from the soil, which can lead to competition and reduced yield. They also attract pests such as flea beetles and cabbage worms that can damage pepper plants.

We like to use 5-7 gallon pots for peppers, as we find that too small of a pot, they dry out too quickly and hinder the growth. Some people plant up to 3 plants per five gallon bucket, but we've found that they won't do as well as if each one had their own bucket. The bigger the pot the better the yield!

Expect 5-10 large bell peppers per well-grown plant, and 20-50 hot peppers per plant. Storage: Peppers don't stay fresh and crunchy for more than a few days, even in the refrigerator, so use them while they are in season. Small chiles can be dried if laid on cookie sheets in an airy place.

Multiple pepper plants (of the same or different varieties) can be planted together and, in some cases, can help each other out. For example, planting a border of hot peppers around sweet peppers is likely to deter any pests that thought about munching on either of those plants.

Can you plant tomatoes and peppers in the same container? ›

Taking the pros and cons into account, planting tomatoes and peppers together is totally fine as long as you take the steps outlined above. In a smaller garden or container garden, even just a few tomato and pepper plants could yield prolifically if they get enough space, water, and nutrients.

Provide support for growing peppers and mulch well. Pepper plants are brittle and need support as they grow; a wire cage or trellis works well for this purpose. Pepper plants require well-draining soil, but also plenty of water, especially in the hottest times of the year.

Container Size

 Now I'll say a 3 gallon pot for the smallest peppers and 5 gallon pots for an average size pepper. The ones that can threaten to take over the garden with their potential size (jalapenos come to mind), I'd go with a 7 gallon if you want to limit the size a bit, but still keep a good harvest.

Peppers are pretty slow growers. While your seedling may look small now, it will soon fill out a large container with just one plant. To get a good yield, a 5-gallon container is perfect. At minimum, choose a container 12 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep.

You'll need 6 pepper plants to get started. You can choose all plants in the same variety, or mix it up and plant all different types of peppers. If you like both sweet and hot peppers, consider planting 3 sweet peppers on one side of the container, and 3 hot peppers on the opposite side of the container garden.

For the best harvests and healthy plants, we like to plant pepper plants in deep beds, we recommend 18-24" of soil depth. Small peppers (less than one foot high) can grow well in two-gallon containers, but bigger plants need at least five-gallon pots, and all peppers thrive best with more room.

The fact of the matter is that YES the plants are related and YES they share some common diseases but most people do not have the space in their garden to separate them. The reality is that because the two have similar growth requirements, they can in fact be grown quite successfully together.

Space pepper plants 18 inches apart, in rows 30 to 36 inches apart. Grow plants closer together if temperatures are below 60°F. Closer spacing requires fertilizer at planting and during the summer.