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Hot Peppers
Hot peppers are gorgeous in your garden and add heat and flavor to salsas and other recipes. Hot pepper plants are a top choice among gardeners year-over-year. Gurneys offers a wide selection of hot pepper seeds and plants including habanero, jalapeno, chili and cayenne—and we also offer varieties that are exclusive to the Gurney's family of brands. At Gurney's, we grow hot peppers in our test gardens and offer hot peppers seeds for sale that are tops in flavor and garden performance.
Hot Peppers For Sale at Gurney's
Choosing the Right Hot Pepper Plant
Before selecting hot pepper varieties, consider your growing space. Hot pepper plants grow best in full sun (at least six or more hours of direct sunlight daily) and well-drained soil. If you live in northern areas, pay attention to the days until maturity. You'll want to choose varieties that have a shorter time until maturity. Hot pepper plants can be grown in the garden, raised beds, containers and Grow Tubs. If growing in containers or if you have limited space, choose varieties with more compact plant habits. The variety you choose is a matter of personal preference. Some like hot peppers that are fiery hot while others like them a bit milder. The choice is yours.
Another decision to make is whether to buy hot pepper plants or to buy hot pepper seeds. If you just want to grow a few plants or try a few plants of different varieties, then buying plants may be the way to go. If you're planning to grow a lot of hot pepper plants, then buying hot pepper seeds may be the economical way to go.
Getting Started With Hot Pepper Plants
Because hot peppers have a longer growing season, hot pepper seeds are started indoors and then plants are transplanted to the garden. Hot pepper plants, whether grown in the garden or a container, require full sun and well-drained soil. If growing hot peppers from seed, seeds should be planted 1/4 in. deep, covered with soil and watered. When planting hot pepper plants in the garden, space the plants 18-24 inches apart.
When to Plant Hot Pepper Seeds
Hot pepper seeds should be started indoors about 6-8 weeks before transplanting them to the garden. Hot peppers are warm-weather plants and should not be transplanted to the garden until nighttime temperatures are above 50 degrees and soil temperatures are above 60 degrees.
Growing Hot Pepper Plants Indoors
For healthy and robust seedlings, make sure the plants have plenty of light, warmth and moisture. If growing seeds in the home, you might need supplemental light and possibly a heating mat. Gurney's offers a wide selection of seed starting supplies to help the plants get started right.
Growing Hot Pepper Plants in Containers
While growing hot pepper plants in the garden is the most common way to grow hot pepper plants, they can be grown in containers. If growing hot pepper plants in containers, make sure the container has drainage holes or use a grow tub. Also make sure the container is large enough. While you may be able to grow small pepper plants in 2-gallon containers, other varieties may need a 5-gallon container.
