Growing Cayenne Peppers in Containers and Pots

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

The Best Container Size for Cayenne Peppers

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

Cayenne 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 cayenne 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 cayenne pepper plants in one container. Growing multiple cayenne peppers in one pot is a great way to increase yield while working with limited space. It’s typically suggested to space cayenne pepper plants 1 - 2 feet (30 - 60 centimetres) away from each other. But for most varieties, you can get away with packing cayenne peppers in a little tighter than this.

Interested in Container Gardening?

Join the Garden Auntie newsletter!

Get expert tips, tricks, and inspiration for successful container gardening no matter the environment. Create a stunning and thriving garden, even in small spaces!

The Best Type of Container for Cayenne Peppers

Plastic pots, terracotta, and fabric grow bags all make fine containers for cayenne peppers. When choosing a pot to plant cayenne 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 cayenne peppers grown in pots. If your cayenne 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 cayenne 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 cayenne peppers because they are naturally porous. Most terracotta pots also come with a hole in the bottom for additional drainage.

If growing your cayenne 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 cayenne pepper plant healthy and happy.

The Best Soil for Growing Cayenne Peppers in Containers

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

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

Hopefully by now you’ve seen that growing cayenne 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 cayenne peppers grown in containers are much thirstier than cayenne 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 cayenne peppers that apply to cayenne 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 cayenne peppers.

Happy planting!