Choosing The Best Fertilizer For Pepper Plants
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When growing peppers, it is easy to feel unsure of your fertilizing habits. Am I fertilizing too often? Not enough? Is this Miracle-Gro even any good for my plants? Is it safe for veggies? I’ve been there, too.
After testing dozens of fertilizers, we now have a tried-and-true method for growing healthy and productive pepper plants. In this article, I’ll go through some of the best fertilizers for pepper plants. This will include both organic and chemical versions to suit all growers.
Quick summary: This all-purpose fertilizer (organic) does well for in-ground planting. This fertilizer trio (not all organic) is great for potted plants. This is another good option for year-round feeding in any planting setup.
Fertilizing Peppers (Video):
There are countless fertilizer brands on the market today and most seasoned gardeners have their favorite. However, some are certainly better than others. The basic fertilizer regimen we use for peppers will work for a wide variety of fruiting plants, especially those grown in containers.
For peppers, we usually use two fertilizers through the growing season. The first fertilizer encourages leafy growth and root development, while the second stage fertilizer encourages flower and fruit production. I’ll share which fertilizers we use, when and how often we use them, and where to buy them.
Fertilizer Grades and Contents
On the packaging of most fertilizers, you will find a 3-digit number. This is an important number as it represents the percentages of three important elemental nutrients. It is called the fertilizer grade or NPK ratio.
These numbers will look something like this:
- 5-5-5
- 4-1-4
- 12-0-4
The first number represents the amount of nitrogen (N), the second number is the amount of phosphate (PāOā ), and the last number is the amount of potash (KāO) in the fertilizer. This is a labeling requirement for all fertilizers, and it is essential to understanding how the fertilizer will feed your pepper plants.
So what ratio is best?
Based on nutrient analysis of healthy pepper plant tissue, a fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 4-1-4 is best for growing peppers. However, this is assuming that your soil doesn’t contain any of these nutrients to begin with. If you are growing in containers, a 4-1-4 fertilizer will work perfectly.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a fertilizer with this ideal ratio, and it doesn’t need to be perfect. Anywhere from an even ratio (ex. 5-5-5), to a 5-1-5 will work well. And frankly, most “all-purpose” fertilizers fall somewhere near this range.
What Do These Nutrients Do?
The primary nutrients are those used most by plants (that aren’t available in the air). Here are the 3 primary nutrients and their roles in plant growth.
- Nitrogen is first because it is the most important element for foliage production and overall plant health. Nitrogen is essential to the process of photosynthesis and new leafy growth. This is why lawn fertilizers typically have a large amount of nitrogen. It is also quick to deplete from soil, as rainfall can wash this nutrient away.
- Phosphate is a nutrient that gives plants phosphorus, an essential nutrient in most life forms, allowing plants to take in energy from the sun.
- Potassium is essential to plant life because of its role in water and nutrient movement throughout the plant’s tissue. Without potassium, the regulation of photosynthesis could also be compromised.
Secondary Nutrients
While the main three nutrients are the most important, there are several secondary nutrients and trace elements, that are also critical for ideal growth of peppers.
- Calcium helps with cellular development in pepper leaves and fruits. If your fertilizer does not contain calcium, be sure that your soil does (most native soil has plenty). If you need to, you can amend your soil with bone meal to add calcium.
- Magnesium is important for healthy, green foliage. A magnesium deficiency can cause stunted plant growth and inter-veinal yellowing. Epsom salt is one method to amend soil with magnesium and sulfur, but should only be added if you know it is lacking.
Best Fertilizers For Pepper Plants
When you plant a pepper seed, the seed itself contains the nutrients required to germinate and become a small seedling. However, after just a few days, the plant will require additional nutrients from the soil.
Great All-Around Fertilizer
Miracle-Gro Performance Organics (11-3-8) has the best NPK ratio that is available for cheap. Nitrogen is highest, while phosphate the lowest. This has been hard to find lately, but a similar option exists with a good ratio too.
Another easy option is a slow release, all-purpose fertilizer like Garden Tone. These granulated blends contain all the primary and secondary nutrients that peppers need to thrive. They can also last for months before needing replenishment.
Another option we’ve seen great results from is Fox Farm’s trio of fertilizers. They have a straight-forward feeding schedule which makes the growing process a lot easier, especially for potted plants. These are best used in a controlled environment (potted plants, indoor growing, etc.) to avoid nutrient washout.
Also, be careful not to over-feed with these nutrients – they can burn!
How To Fertilize Peppers
Many casual gardeners fertilize whenever they remember to do it. This is not ideal, as you may be over or under-feeding your plants. To get the most out of your pepper plants, you’ll want to keep track of when you fertilized last and stick to a schedule.
When to Start Fertilizing
Once your plants have sprouted their first true set of leaves, the plants need nutrients from the soil. If you start seeds in seed starting mix, the soil likely does not contain any nutrients. That is why it is important to begin fertilizing as soon as the plants need it.
For most pepper varieties, fertilizing should begin about 1 week after the seeds have sprouted. After the first feeding, you can usually wait 2-3 weeks before re-applying since the plants grow slowly early on. However, fertilizer will play an essential role in forming healthy roots at this stage, as well as strong stems and leafy growth.
If your seeds were planted in a nutrient-rich medium, hold off on fertilizing until they are established in a final planting location. Compost, potting mix, and other soils often contain all the nutrients that peppers need, in which case there is no need to add more!
Frequency
Aside from the initial fertilizing (the first ~3-5 weeks of growth), we simply follow the packaging guidelines. Most fertilizers are administered weekly or bi-weekly for potted plants. Don’t over-fertilize and expect good things to happen! Pepper plants require a steady supply of nutrients, not an abundance of nutrients all at one time.
Note: If you plant in a medium that has built-in nutrients (potting soil, etc.), hold off on fertilizer until the plants are more mature and have used the available nutrients.
Nutrient Burn and Flushing
If you provide too much fertilizer, your pepper plants will show you. Leaves will develop brown spots, usually towards the edge of the leaf.
If you notice brown spots and have ruled out disease, you may be over-feeding your plants. Non-organic liquid nutrients are the most likely to cause nutrient burn, since they are immediately available for plant use. One option is to flush the nutrients from the soil to reduce the amount of excess compounds.
To flush your potted pepper plants, water the plants with plain water, allowing the excess water to flow out of the pot’s drainage holes. This process washes away some of the excess nutrients from the soil and root system.
If your plants are in a raised bed or in the ground, simply water without nutrients, skipping a few weeks of fertilizing. Basically, allow time for the fertilizer to be used by the plants before adding more.
Soil pH
While nutrients are what fuel healthy pepper plant growth, the pH of your soil is arguably just as important. Most peppers grow best in a soil pH between 5.8-6.8, or slightly acidic soil.
Why is pH important, you ask? Well, if the pH is too low or too high, your pepper plants may not be able to access and use the nutrients from the soil, even if they are present. This is called ‘nutrient lockout’ and can be detrimental to productivity and overall plant health.
You can test your soil’s pH with a simple meter, though the readings are often inaccurate. If you suspect you have alkaline soil, you can get a soil test.
Read Next:
I hope this article helps you choose the best fertilizer for your pepper plants. Remember, it’s important to “listen” to your plants. If a plant is unhealthy or nutrient deficient, you’ll know it!
What works for some people in certain climates may not work for others, so experiment with new feeding regimens. What’s your favorite fertilizer? Feel free to leave questions or suggestions in the comments below.
Calvin
One of the original Pepper Geeks! When Calvin isn’t gardening or learning more about peppers and botany, he might be traveling new places or playing some music.
Hi! New at growing peppers. I have hobenaro plants. I have two in each pot. They’re growing tall but I’m nervous i won’t develop any peppers but the time the growing season here is over. Can these be brought inside over the winter time?
Thank you very much.. is there any fertilizer that trigger faster riping of sweet peppers
Thank you for the advice. This will be my first time growning peppers from seed. I need all the help I can get!!!
Hello Calvin,
Thanks for your advice, I was really happy to come across this site. As a Scotch Bonnet devotee, I was happy to come across other pepper people. I use Tomorite (Levington brand) seems to work very well with my plants appears to meet the proportions you recommend for minerals.
Thanks again for your advice
Thanks for your advice. My scotch Bonnet
Hi Calvin,
Thanks again for your advice on the transplanting of my Jalapeno plant. Unfortunately, I tried switching to the Fox Farms trio, and ended up hurting my Jalapeno pretty bad (despite using half dose, I must have went wrong somewhere).
The Jalapeno plant is shedding perfectly healthy leaves, and definitely seems to be “droopy” overall. I have already flushed the raised bed that it lives in with purified water, once yesterday and once today. I came back home this evening and found even more leaves that have fallen from the plant. At this point there are many branches that have lost most of their leaves, although there is still a decent amount remaining.
On the flip side, I have quite a few jalapenos ready for harvest, and they see to have grown quite a bit in the past few days. Any recommendations? Would it be wise to try to move it to a new home, with fresh, “untainted” soil, or do you think I should just harvest what I can and consider it beyond saving at this point?
It’s my first plant, about 6 months old, and I am admittedly a bit heartbroken. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
@Logan, Ended up being root rot, found out when transplanting. Cleaned roots, moved to fresh soil and new leaves are growing in on the left stem but not the right (it’s barren now). Unsure if there’s a way I can salvage it or if it’s just dead (and trim it?).
I see you recommended a Miracle gro Performance for the growth stage of peppers. Is there a Miracle Gro Performance you would recommend for the flowering stage? We’re growing… *coughs* 13 hot pepper plants indoors. Ghengis Khan Brain, Bleeding Borg 9, Wartryx, Hurt Berry, Red Savina (my favorite pepper to just eat cause they taste so good,) Black Prince, Fish, Pequin, Peter, Kristian (Thai,) and Carolina Reaper (more than one plant of some I really enjoy my super hots.) We got the P2500 light you recommend, and I think are ready to start the weak strength fertilizer.
I would recommend just reducing the strength of the performance organics, so instead of using the full scoop, do a half scoop for the same amount of water. That should keep the plants growing without over-loading on nitrogen!
@peppergeek, Sorry for the confusion. When I first read your response, I thought that was your instructions while they are still too small for full strength first stage fertilizer. It seems more likely as I re-read your response, that was your recommendation for miracle grow performance for the flowering stage. Thank you again.
How do plants respond to worm castings and tea
with all the talk about full strength, half strength, quarter strength, but if I make a gallon of half strength, how much do I give each plant, etc?
You just want to water thoroughly, soaking the soil until it begins to drain out of the bottom
@peppergeek, even with the fertilizer ???
Hello, just wondering when I should use the calm mag fertilizer. Currently my hot pepper plants are about 3 inches tall with nice looking leaves.
I wouldn’t worry about using Cal Mag unless you know there is a deficiency. Cal Mag is more commonly needed in hydroponics, as these nutrients can be easier to deplete, and sometimes aren’t included in base nutrients. If you’re in soil, chances are you won’t need to amend with Cal Mag.
Very resourceful
can a person use 2 or 33 gallon buckets for container growing hot peppers
Thanks for this article.
My seeds have just sprouted, and going by your book (great book BTW), on page 50, you guys have this:
Use your stage 1 fertilizer (see Chapter
3) to feed the seedlings. Continue with
lower strength at the recommended
frequency until they are transplanted.
However, in chapter three (or the whole rest of the book, for that matter), there is no mention of “stage 1”, so this will be a tremendous help.
Thanks for bringing that up – what we mean by “stage 1” is a higher nitrogen fertilizer. It is not required to use multiple types of fertilizers, but early on, young plants need the nitrogen to form healthy foliar growth. Stage 2 would be a lower nitrogen blend with higher phosphorus and potassium for good flowering and fruit sets.
I use Miracle Gro alot. Would this work for peppers. I ordered 2 different pepper seed paks from you. I believe AJI and Ghoast Japaleno. I will try your recommended fertilizers, just wondered about Miracle Gro.
Yes, Miracle Gro can be used for growing peppers
The last 2 years my green pepper plants did not grow at all! Iām adding fruit& vegetable skins to my garden soil in hopes this will help ! My friend is a excellent grower & im getting some xtra help for this coming season ! I hope I can read your articles to finally get my pepper plants growing .Iām in Ohio
Well, I hope you can find some success with your friend’s help. Fertilizer might help, but there are lots of possible causes for slow/stunted growth. Best of luck!
how can i get my fruit or vegtable to ripen to early there about golf ball size when they start to ripen im in mexico and use mostly grow bags
I’m wondering if you’ve done any comparative studies between 2 stage nutrients and just using an even NPK from start to finish? I’ve been running a small pepper farm since 2019 and have been growing peppers longer than that. I’ve consulted with a bunch of the big names in pepper growing, like Johnny’s Research Farm that has been doing comparative studies for decades. They’ve been researching the best methods for growing peppers for nearly 50 years and they, along with all the other farms I contacted, recommend using an even NPK from start to finish. It out performs 2 stage nutrients every time. I’m wondering why you are recommending so many different products? Is it just for ad revenue? I recommend doing a comparative study between an even NPK, and what you are currently doing to see for yourself. All the growers I know that started off with 2 stage nutrients have now switched to an even npk from start to finish.
@PDX Peppers, this is interesting. I remember growing up in the 80’s, with crappy hard clay ground, and growing tomatoes and peppers with even NPK. We didn’t have access to all the fertilizer types out there today. Things did great most years, with dark green leaves and high production.
Thank you Calvin.Very nice info on griwing pepper plants.
Whatās a good fertilizer thatās not too strong for the pepper plant seedlings? My ghost pepper plants are 3 inches tall, and healthy. Could I use the āGrow big.ā Accordingly?
Yes I’d use a reduced strength of grow big if you have it. You can also use basically any high-nitrogen fertilizer (6-4-4, 3-1-2, etc – high ratio, not necessarily high number), and use it at a half strength until the plants begin growing more rapidly.
I just got Di grow, how many ml should i put in 15 litre of water to apply on pepper