Chili peppers are actually fantastic candidates for container gardening, which makes them perfect as indoor houseplants! The secret to success with indoor chilis is recreating their favorite conditions so they can thrive and, fingers crossed, give you a great harvest.
The Perfect Spot
When you’re growing chilis indoors, location is everything. Your best bet is a south-facing windowsill. Chilis are total sun-worshippers, and that extra light is exactly what they need to produce those beautiful flowers and spicy fruits.
During the winter, they still need plenty of light, but they prefer a cooler spot—around 50°F (10°C) is the sweet spot. This is also the ideal setup if you’re bringing your outdoor plants inside to overwinter them safely.
The Right Soil
Chilis are “heavy feeders,” meaning they have a big appetite for nutrients. When you pot your chilis, make sure you’re using a high-quality, nutrient-rich substrate. A standard organic potting mix for vegetables works great, or you can mix your own using compost and a bit of garden soil.
The one thing chilis hate is “wet feet” (soggy roots). To prevent this, add a layer of expanded clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot for drainage. I also like to mix a little bit of that clay granulate directly into the soil. It keeps the dirt nice and airy and helps regulate moisture by soaking up extra water and releasing it when the plant gets thirsty.
Care and Maintenance
When growing chilis as houseplants, getting your watering and feeding routine down is key. Since it’s tricky to work granular fertilizer into a pot, liquid fertilizer is your best friend. Even though chilis love the warmth, they don’t like to dry out completely. Check the soil daily to make sure it’s still slightly damp. Every two weeks, add some liquid vegetable fertilizer to your watering can to keep them fed.
Keep a close eye on your indoor plants for pests and diseases. Aphids and mealybugs love to crash the party! They’re sneaky and like to hide on the undersides of leaves, so make sure you’re doing a regular “under-leaf inspection” to catch any hitchhikers early.
If you’re bringing plants in from the garden for the winter, definitely check the soil for pests like grubs. These little guys will munch on the roots, cutting off the plant’s ability to take in water and nutrients, which can sadly kill your chili plant.
