Do you pinch out the tops of pepper plants?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.When you pinch the tops of your pepper plants, not only does it promote bushier growth, but it also directs some growth energy into the side shoots instead of the growing top. I found this out when I let my jalapeños grow tall and leggy without pinching the top off, and the other jalapeños, with the top pinched off, produced double the pods. Pruning your pepper plant will only work when the plants reach around 12 inches tall for optimal branching to occur. Timing is important.
Compact Varieties
- Pinch at 8-12 inches height
- Encourages 4-6 lateral branches
- Boosts yields in small spaces
Large Varieties
- Remove suckers instead of main stem
- Focus on air circulation
- Prevents fungal diseases
Essential Gear
- Bypass pruners for clean cuts
- Rubbing alcohol for sterilization
- Gloves to protect hands
Sterilization Steps
- Wipe blades before each plant
- Soak tools overnight monthly
- Avoid cross-contamination
Don't over-prune. This was my first mistake, as I pruned the plants too hard, removing too many leaves and delaying the fruiting process. Remove non-productive growth while retaining 70% of the plant's original foliage. Always prioritize yellowing lower leaves first, and healthy upper leaves are still very important for processing light and energy to produce large, delicious peppers.
When I began selective pruning, it revolutionized my ghost pepper harvests. By pruning back competitive stems, the plants would redirect their energy to produce over 20 pods each. Complementing this practice with my weekly feeds of fish emulsion made for my largest and most vibrant superhot peppers yet. And while extra pruning might not apply to every plant, always prune back the dry ones to avoid spreading disease.
Read the full article: How to Grow Peppers: Expert Harvest Tips
