Banana Pepper Care

Give the Peppers a drink when the topsoil feels dry to the touch. It’s important not to waterlog them, as too much moisture causes root rot. Two-times-a-week hydration should be enough for this plant.

It’s not necessary to prune Banana Peppers, but it can be practiced to maintain good air circulation. Remove all the damaged or diseased plant parts when trimming. It’s important to use a sterilized pruning tool to avoid disease spreading.

Regular feeding helps the Banana Peppers maintain healthy foliage and encourage fruiting. Feed the greenie with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Alternatively, feedings like fish emulsion or seaweed solution can also promote growth.

When grown indoors, this plant requires a lot of light. Banana Pepper needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. The greenie may require supplemental lighting if there’s not enough sunlight in a room or greenhouse.

A nutritious and well-draining soil is what Banana Peppers enjoy the most. It’s best to plant them in a potting mix with a 6.0-6.5 pH range. If the ground is heavy, amending it with compost or aged manure can be helpful.

Sowing seeds is the most effective way to propagate Banana Peppers. Propagating by seeds, sow them indoors in a pot or tray 6-8 weeks before the last frost date for propagation. Replant the new plants in warmed-up ground under direct sunlight.

Banana Peppers are warmth-loving plants, so it’s best to grow them in a 70-85 °F (21-29 °C) temperature range. They can handle moderate heat, but they aren’t frost-tolerant, so it’s recommended to keep the Peppers indoors during winter months. Banana Peppers can be grown as annuals or in containers but should be brought inside before frost in colder regions.

It’s best to choose a container that is at least two times larger than the plant’s root ball. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water stagnation. For young plants, it’s recommended to use a pot that is 1ft (30 cm) deep and wide.

The mild heat and sweet flavor of this plant make it a popular pickling ingredient. Peppers are versatile in the kitchen and can be eaten fresh, dried, or canned.