Growing Banana Peppers in Containers and Pots

Don’t let limited space keep you from enjoying delicious home-grown banana peppers! No matter the size of your garden, we’ll show you how to produce a bountiful banana pepper crop in containers all season long.

The Best Container Size for Banana Peppers

The first thing to consider when growing banana peppers in a container is what kind of pot you’re going to use.

Banana peppers have a fairly large root system, so it’s important they have ample room to grow. When in doubt, five-gallon buckets (or a container of similar size) are a great option for banana peppers. But if you’re looking to get technical, a good rule of thumb is to aim for a container that is roughly 577 cubic inches (9,455 cubic centimetres) in size.

Depending on the size of the pot you’re using, you can also put two or three banana pepper plants in one container. Growing multiple banana peppers in one pot is a great way to increase yield while working with limited space. It’s typically suggested to space banana pepper plants 1 - 2 feet (30 - 60 centimetres) away from each other. But for most varieties, you can get away with packing banana peppers in a little tighter than this.

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The Best Type of Container for Banana Peppers

Plastic pots, terracotta, and fabric grow bags all make fine containers for banana peppers. When choosing a pot to plant banana peppers in, the type of material it’s made out of doesn’t really matter. What does matter, however, is how well that material releases excess water.

Poor drainage is the number one killer of banana peppers grown in pots. If your banana peppers sit in standing water for too long, their roots will rot and the plants will likely wither away.

If you’re using a plastic container for growing banana peppers, it’s crucial there are 2 - 4 holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain.

Terracotta pots, along with fabric grow bags, are a great container option for banana peppers because they are naturally porous. Most terracotta pots also come with a hole in the bottom for additional drainage.

If growing your banana peppers in grow bags, be sure to test how well they drain before planting. If water doesn’t leak through the bag quickly, you may want to add one or two holes to the bottom to keep the roots of your banana pepper plant healthy and happy.

The Best Soil for Growing Banana Peppers in Containers

Drainage also plays a key part in the type of soil you choose for banana pepper containers.

Traditional soil, such as the type of dirt you can dig up in your backyard, is much too dense for banana peppers planted in pots. It will trap moisture in the container to the point where it can cause fungal issues for banana peppers as well as root rot.

Instead, opt for potting soil or soil specifically designated as safe for container gardening. Avoid all others.

Final Tips for Growing Banana Peppers in Pots

Hopefully by now you’ve seen that growing banana peppers in pots is pretty easy so long as you have the right container and right soil.

The key, as stated before, is drainage. You will likely notice that banana peppers grown in containers are much thirstier than banana peppers grown in a traditional garden bed. Be sure to adjust your schedule to water more frequently.

Of course, the same rules apply to container grown banana peppers that apply to banana peppers grown in a traditional garden, such as the amount of sunlight they need and when to plant them. You can find that information (and more!) in our complete guide on growing banana peppers.

Happy planting!