How often should I water pepper plants?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.How frequently do I need to water my pepper plants can depend on the soil type, climate, and the growth stage of the plants. For example, my clay soil keeps moisture for 5-7 days and my sandy beds dry out after 2-3 days. You can also do a finger test to test for moisture content, and water when the top inch feels dry. If a plant is overwatered, it will drop its flowers and get soft, mushy roots.
Seedlings
- Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy
- Use spray bottle to avoid displacing seeds
- Water every 2-3 days in trays
Flowering Plants
- Increase to 1.5 inches weekly
- Avoid wetting blooms to prevent drop
- Mulch to stabilize moisture
Fruiting Stage
- Consistent moisture prevents blossom-end rot
- Drip irrigation beats overhead watering
- Reduce frequency if fruits split
Heat waves require some adjustments. When we had a period of 95F (35C), I watered the container peppers daily. You should consider using shade cloth to reduce evaporation. If they are in-ground plants, deep watering them at dawn will encourage the plant roots to search for moisture below the surface and eventually build drought resistance.
Moisture Meters
- Probe 6 inches deep for accuracy
- Avoid metal probes near fertilizers
- Calibrate monthly for reliability
Drip Systems
- Set timers for 30-minute morning sessions
- Use pressure regulators for consistency
- Flush lines weekly to prevent clogs
Diagnose common complications. Blossom-end rot indicates irregular watering and calcium deficiency and can be treated with an addition of crushed eggshell tea. Leaf curl typically indicates overwatering, and should be allowed to completely dry out before watering again. All of my revived plants returned to success with smaller, more frequent watering intervals, versus flooding the plants each time.
Read the full article: How to Grow Peppers: Expert Harvest Tips
