Red and green chili peppers growing on the bush.

Peppers

If you have a green thumb (or are trying to develop one) and are looking for something to spice up your garden, try planting some peppers! They’re easy to grow and will produce flavorful fruit that can be eaten fresh or used in recipes. Use our guides below to learn how to plant, grow, and harvest your own peppers, select the best varieties for your tastes, as well as troubleshoot pests and disease problems. Happy gardening!

Tips for Growing Cayenne Peppers

A horizontal photo of a pepper plant with several chili peppers ranging from a pale green to ripe bright red.

Do you like spicy food? Then you should be growing cayenne peppers in your garden. There are over a dozen cultivars, with one to suit any preference, and they mature quickly, so you can dig in sooner. Learn about the different cultivars and how to start, plant, and care for these smoky, spicy chili treats.

How to Identify and Control 13 Common Pepper Pests

A close up horizontal image of rows of pepper plants growing in the garden with straw mulch around the base.

Pests love peppers, both sweet varieties and hot chilis. From caterpillars that devour the leaves to disease-spreading sapsuckers, there are numerous bugs that can’t wait to munch on your pepper plants. Learn about 13 common pepper pests and how to identify and effectively manage them in this guide. Read more now.

How to Grow Ornamental Peppers

A close up of a large ornamental pepper plant with vivid purple and red upright fruits, contrasting with the bright green foliage.

Splashy, vibrant ornamental peppers can add dazzling bursts of color and texture to the landscape. While they are technically edible, most people find them lacking in flavor or too spicy to enjoy – so why not add them to the garden just for show? Learn how to grow these brilliant beauties now.

Tips for Growing Banana Peppers

A close up horizontal image of banana peppers growing in the garden, ready for harvest.

Both hot wax Hungarian and mild, sweet varieties are commonly called banana peppers. Either type will produce an abundance of tapered, yellow peppers in record time. From soil prep to sowing, harvest to cooking, our guide covers the best techniques for planting and growing banana peppers in the home garden. Read more.

How to Plant and Grow Hot Peppers

A close up horizontal image of a hand from the right of the frame, harvesting a ripe red hot pepper from the garden.

Would you pick spicy over sweet any day of the week? Do you bypass the bells and buy handfuls of habaneros instead when you head to the grocery store? When someone warns you their stuffed jalapenos are spicy, do you chuckle? If you’re someone who likes it hot, learn about growing and raising chili peppers in our guide.

How to Plant and Grow Anaheim Peppers

A close up horizontal image of green Anaheim peppers growing in the garden pictured in light filtered sunshine on a soft focus background.

Anaheim peppers can do it all. They’re not too hot, but they’re not super mild either, so they’re perfect for families that include both heat lovers and those who are spice adverse. They can be stuffed, roasted, dried, and eaten raw or cooked. Read more now to learn how to grow this fantastic New Mexican cultivar.

How to Plant and Grow Serrano Peppers

A close up horizontal image of green serrano peppers growing in the garden.

Serranos are extremely popular in Mexico and it’s easy to see why. They’re moderately spicy without setting your mouth on fire, and the juicy flesh makes them ideal for salsas and other sauces. The plants aren’t challenging to grow – you’ll be harvesting a serrano bounty in just a few months with our tips. Read more.

How to Plant and Grow Poblano Peppers

A close up horizontal image of green poblano peppers growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Learn how to plant and grow culinary hotshot poblano peppers in your vegetable garden. Easy to start seeds indoors or outside, you can expect the savory peppers in just over two months. With a mild SHU rating, poblanos are not too hot, and grow well next to other well-known chili varieties like jalapenos or serranos.

How to Overwinter Hot Pepper Plants

A close up horizontal image of red peppers ripe and ready to harvest growing in a pot on a patio, pictured on a soft focus background.

Hot peppers are typically grown as annuals, but did you know that you can overwinter these perennial plants for a larger harvest next season? With the right preparation, you can keep your favorite varieties dormant in the winter months and they’ll come back healthy in spring. Learn how to winterize hot pepper plants.

How to Plant and Grow Ghost Peppers

A close up of ripe ghost peppers, ready for harvest, growing on the plant, surrounded by foliage and fading to soft focus in the background.

Do you like hot peppers? If you can stand the heat, why not try growing ghost peppers? Once thought to be the hottest pepper in the world, the bhut jolokia packs an almighty punch of flavor and adds sizzling heat to a variety of dishes. Learn how to plant and grow ghost peppers with these top tips. Read more now.

Grow Crunchy, Sweet Bell Peppers in Your Own Backyard

A close up horizontal image of a bright red bell pepper growing in the garden.

Growing bell peppers in your own garden is beyond rewarding. Sweet yet savory, crunchy, and versatile, they’re delicious at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And the amazing varieties you get to choose from when you grow your own will motivate you to keep growing bell peppers year after year. Learn more on Gardener’s Path.