Growing Spicy Jalapeños Inside

Spicy jalapeño peppers are a fiery addition of flavor that many recipes simply should not be prepared without. Depending on the particular region you live in, quality jalapeños may not always be readily available. If they are, you might feel as though the price carries more heat than the peppers do. The simple answer to all of your jalapeño worries is to grow them yourself. You do not need a garden; you can grow your spicy peppers just fine inside, even in a small apartment. Keep reading to find out how easy it can be to have fresh jalapeños at your finger tips on a moment’s notice.

• When purchasing jalapeño plants at your local nursery or garden center chain, be sure to look for healthy plants. Leaves should be richly green and bounce back to life when slightly pinched. If a plant looks dry or has a moldy smell please be sure to put it right back where you got it. You will need to repot the plants you pick once you get home so be prepared with all of the necessary soil, pots and so on.

• When transplanting your jalapeño plants into other pots, place some small rocks in the bottom to assist with proper drainage. If you allow your pepper plants to get too wet you will be right back at the store buying jalapeños because your plants will not be providing you with any peppers.

• Good soil is a necessity. You will need a soil that is meant for flowering plants. Jalapeños require a dark soil that is rich in nutrients for repotting.

• Once you have successfully repotted your jalapeño plants you will need to put them in windows that get at least two hours of direct sunlight per day.

• Water your new plants about two to three times each week.

• Once your jalapeño plants are approximately a foot high they will need to be repotted again. The plants can actually grow up to two feet high, so be sure to plan ahead for this possibility.

• Remove any leaves that dry up or die as is necessary to encourage new growth.

• Jalapeños should be left to ripen on the plant if you want to enjoy the best flavor.

• Each month place a plant food stick down into the soil about an inch and water the plant as you normally would.

By following these simple steps and giving up a bit of your free time to nurture your new jalapeño plants, you will be able to add just the right touch of fiery flavor to any number of recipes. If your experience is a good one you may find you become interested in growing other pepper varieties as well. Most hot peppers can be grown right inside your house or apartment in much the same manner as jalapeños.