How to Transplant Pepper Plants

Transplanting Pepper Plants from Trays

When your indoor pepper plants have outgrown their trays, it’s time for the exciting process of transplanting them into larger 4 to 6-inch pots. The timing for when to transplant depends on when the plants have grown 2 to 3 sets of true leaves. It’s important to transplant each plant when it has 2 to 3 sets of true leaves to avoid stunted growth. Transplanting also helps to avoid the plant roots from becoming an entangled clump of roots, commonly known as “root-bound.”

Start preparing the new pots with quality potting mix, ensuring adequate drainage. Gently remove the seedlings from the trays, taking care not to damage their delicate roots and stems. It’s best to transplant one plant at a time to not mix up varieties and to add each variety to the correctly labeled new pot.

Once the plants have been repotted into larger pots, place them back under the grow lights until they’re ready to start going outside to be hardened off.

Hardening Off Your Pepper Plants

Before moving your young pepper plants outdoors for the season, they need to undergo the hardening-off process. This gradual exposure to outdoor conditions is essential for acclimatizing them. Begin by placing the pots outside for a few hours each day in a sheltered spot, slowly increasing their exposure to sunlight and wind over a week or two. This step will significantly improve their chances of thriving in your garden or on your patio.

Transplanting to Your Garden or to Final Containers

Once your pepper plants are well-adjusted, it’s time to transplant them into your garden or into large containers once there’s no chance of frost and the overnight temperatures remain 60 degrees or above. If you’re using containers, it’s best to use 3 to 5-gallon containers for ornamentals and 5 to 10-gallon containers for larger growth variety peppers, such as sweet bell peppers to hots to superhots.

Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Dig holes that are large enough to comfortably accommodate the root systems of your pepper transplants. After placing the plants in their new homes, cover them with loose soil and water them thoroughly to help them settle in. Keep the soil consistently moist but not overly wet as they establish themselves. Check the plants often to ensure they’re not under or overwatered and are not being affected by pests.