Check out Jalapeno Growing Tips in Pots for harvesting fresh and flavorful fruit at home with the help of this guide.
If you are short of space but love to have delicious jalapenos in pizzas, tacos, or omelets then read the Jalapeno Growing Tips in Pots for compact space homes.
Jalapeno Pepper
Native to Mexico, a jalapeno pepper (Capsicum annuum’ Jalapeno’) is a mid-size hot pepper fruit of the capsicum pod type. It is grown across the world for its famous taste. Jalapeno is preferred to be served green, but if left on the plant for a long, it turns red. Both taste amazing; however, red gives a sweet flavor.
Jalapenos come from the nightshade family; they are frost-tender perennials, mostly grown as annuals.
The best thing about this vegetable is its preservability and versatility. You can store it in the refrigerator for long periods. They are ideal for stuffing and pickling whole due to being 2-3 inches long and 1 inch wide.
Jalapenos can grow up to 24-36 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide. However, with regular pruning, the plant will stay on the shorter side.
Other Names: Cuaresmeño, Huachinango – the ripe red jalapeno, Chipotle pepper- smoked jalapeno pepper, Chile Gordo – “Fat Chili Pepper”
Jalapeno Growing Tips in Pots
Propagation
Jalapenos from Seeds
Sow 2-3 seeds around 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in each cell of pre-moistened trays at 0.5 cm depth indoors. Use seed-starting coconut coir mix. The seeds will germinate in just a week; the seedlings will pop up fast. Keep the pots in a sunny window. Also, follow the below points:
- Keep the soil humid and moist; spray with water once a day.
- Let the soil stay warm; the best temperature for seed germination is 80 F.
- The jalapenos will sprout within 4-7 days, but this will differ depending on the age of the seeds and the growing conditions.
Best Jalapeno Varieties for Containers
Early Jalapeno: Grows up to 3 inches long, matures fast in 63 days
Jalafuego: 4 inches pods mature in 70 days
Container Size
Jalapenos require 5 gallons of soil, so select a large pot with drainage holes. A 12-inch container will be fine; it has to be 14 inches deep. You can also use fabric grow bags.
Growing Jalapenos Indoors
Jalapenos can be grown indoors through winter, but keep in mind they require plenty of light and heat. To fulfill this need, you can keep them under grow light on a warm spot, and use heat mats for that purpose.
Requirements for Growing Jalapenos in Pots
Location
Place the containers in a full-sun location with a lot of heat. The plant can withstand a bit of shade, but it will become lanky, and fruit production will decline.
Soil
Use sandy, loamy, fertile, moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. . If growing in pots, any general-purpose potting mix that drains properly will be enough with a slightly acidic to neutral in pH.
Water
The most important point to remember is, to avoid overwatering. Allow the topsoil to dry before watering. Water in the early morning or evening hours at the base of the plant and not over the foliage.
Note: During hot and sunny days, jalapenos require more water compared to cloudy, damp ones.
Temperature
Keep jalapenos in a temperature range above 60 F (15 C). It does well in temperatures up to 95 F (35 C) and at least up to 50 F (10 C). The perfect growing range is between 70-90 F (21-32 C).
Jalapeno Care
Fertilizer
After germination jalapenos require constant feeding and watering. At a young age, plants dislike being over-fed. Container-grown jalapenos do not require much food, use 1/2 strength water-soluble organic slow-release fertilizer for the first 3-4 weeks.
Pruning
You can prune the plants after they’re 6-8 weeks old; the plant will benefit from regular trimming to boost growth. Jalapenos are inclined to grow tall and lanky, which does not affect the produce but outgrows your space. For pruning jalapeno plants:
After 6 weeks, use clean, sharp garden shears and cut a stem just above the leaf node. Remove a couple of leaves below the cut, which provide more light to get to the plant.
Ensure not to cut the plant more than 1/3 of the plant at once.
Pests and Diseases
Aphids can be a problem for jalapenos. To control them, spray a solution of neem oil, water, and castile soap on the affected leaves.
If you notice black or brown spots on the foliage, it’s a sign of bacterial infection. Don’t panic, and keep the bottom leaves distant from the soil. Many bacteria and spores splash on the plant in heavy rains. Apply mulch or straw below the plants. You can also cut away low-hanging foliage on a dry day.
How to Harvest Jalapenos
Jalapenos can be harvested when they are 3-4 inches long, around 60 days after transplanting. The pods have to be firm and dark green in shade. At this stage, they are mild in flavor. If the jalapenos are left on the plant longer, they’ll become black, then red, and spicy.
Use pruning shears and snip off the pods. Cut at an angle above the leaf node. Harvest daily to boost production.
How to Preserve Jalapenos
Jalapenos have many uses in the kitchen. They can be added to hot sauces, tacos, nachos, soups, and pepper chili.
Dehydrating, freezing, and pickling can preserve jalapenos for later use.
