Poblanos are tasty, perennial plants that are a must-have for any pepper lover. While great outdoors, those in the cooler climates are limited in how many they can grow. But with the proper conditions and care, you can learn how to grow poblano peppers indoors. Once the plant is established, you’ll have a steady supply to add to all your favorite meals. In this article, we’ll learn just that, and by the end, you’ll be an expert in growing poblano peppers indoors and out.
Poblano Peppers Overview
Poblano peppers originated in Puebla, Mexico, and are a common ingredient in many Hispanic dishes. They have a delicious smoky, slightly sweet flavor and are on the milder side of the spice scale. To top that off, they are a relatively easy pepper to grow with the largest requirement being enough light. Poblanos are usually harvested while green but will darken if left on the plant a bit longer and take a reddish hue. These red beauties are somewhat spicier than their younger counterparts, so as a grower you have options in terms of your desired heat level.
Growing From Seeds
Growing poblano peppers from seeds takes time and patience but isn’t impossible and is a great way to get a lot of peppers growing cheaply. You also have the option to grow from a seedling, however, which will lead to a quicker harvest. If that’s the case, you can skip ahead to the planting and soil section.
Start by sowing the seeds per the directions of the seed packet and giving the soil a healthy dose of water that dampens it completely. You can sow them directly into their permanent container, but most gardeners find it easier to start them in a seed starter tray and transplant them later.
They take about 2-3 weeks to germinate, after which you should start to see sprouts peaking through the soil. Be sure they are in a warm environment of 70° to 80° F to ensure germination, as these seeds don’t like the cold. A bright, sunny spot with a lot of warmth is good, but you can also utilize seed heating mats.
Planting and Soil
Once your seedlings have developed 3-5 sets of true leaves that are ready to transplant into their permanent home. This is also the case if you’re starting with a seedling.
You’ll want to get a container that is 5 gallons or larger to give your plant enough space to grow. The exact material of the container doesn’t matter, just make sure it has proper drainage holes to avoid the potential for root rot.
Transfer them carefully to avoid damaging the delicate sprouts by gently digging out the seedling and placing it into a pre-dug hole in the new container. Once it’s transplanted, give it a nice dose of water and place it in a sunny location.
For soil, any indoor potting soil will work. You can also opt for a vegetable-specific soil which can help ensure you have the proper nutrients and PH level for your peppers.
One last note, poblano peppers can grow quite tall, so staking them is often recommended. Once your peppers reach about a foot in height, you can add some stakes to the soil and gently guide your plant to use them. This will prevent them from toppling over as they grow larger and heavier.
Lighting
The trickiest outdoor condition to replicate indoors is lighting, especially when dealing with a sun-loving plant. Poblano peppers need a minimum of 6 hours of full sunlight a day but do better with 8 to 10 hours of light.
Though you can place your plant next to a window to give it as much sunlight as possible, this may not be enough. Adding a grow light is best for indoor pepper plants, especially during the short winter days of the northern climates. Doing so will ensure it’s receiving the light needed for a thriving plant and an abundance of peppers.
I personally like to run my grow light slightly longer than the recommended amount when that’s the primary source of my plant’s life. In the case of the poblano, I might try to get closer to 12 hours under the grow light.
Watering and Feeding
Poblano plants don’t like to sit in soaking soil but still need plenty of moisture to grow their tasty veggies. Water them regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
For best results, get into the habit of checking the soil moisture every few days. You can use a moisture reader, or simply stick your finger in the top 2” of soil. If it’s dry then it’s time to water the plant. Do so until the soil is thoroughly saturated (generally once you see water leaking out of the container’s drainage holes) and try to avoid getting water on the foliage as that can lead to fungal issues.
Fertilizer is vital for poblano plants as seedlings to ensure they’re absorbing the proper nutrients for healthy growth. A balanced all-purpose fertilizer works best at this stage. As the plant grows, fertilize as needed. If the soil is nutrient-rich, you may not need to add any. But if you notice the plant’s growth slowing down, adding low-nitrogen fertilizer encourages more fruiting and fewer leaves.
Temperature/Humidity
It’s likely no surprise that a plant that needs several hours of full sun every day loves heat. It prefers high temperatures, anything below 55° F will slow the growth of your poblano pepper plants. Maintaining a temperature of above 60° F is ideal for a healthy plant. You should also avoid placing it near any sources of cold air like a drafty window or cooling vent.
Poblano pepper plants prefer medium humidity levels between 40% and 60%. Lower levels could dry out the plant, while high humidity levels breed fungus, so keep it as even as possible. If your plant is parched, a pebble tray near the pot will give it the moisture it needs. You can also opt to lightly mist the plant if you notice it start to wilt. This increases the humidity, but does so in a low-moisture way to avoid fungal issues later.
Culinary Uses
Poblano peppers are a common ingredient in many hispanic dishes. They have a smooth, smoky, and mild flavor and are less spicy than other popular peppers like habaneros or jalapenos. Their large size makes them popular for stuffed pepper dishes. You can also dry them out, dried poblano peppers are known as ancho peppers. Anchos tend to be a bit sweeter while still maintaining that mild spice.
Pruning Poblano Peppers
Pruning your poblano pepper plants ensures healthy roots, more branches, and higher yields. If you’re looking for a bushier plant, you can cut off the top 2 or 3 nodes on the chosen stems.
Leggy plants also benefit from topping off since it encourages wider growth. If your plant already has an abundance of stems, you can trim a few off for a thinner plant.
Try to avoid removing flowering stems since you’ll be sacrificing peppers for a smaller plant.
Harvesting Your Peppers
When they’re mature enough to pick, poblano peppers are a deep green color with slightly curled stems. To avoid damaging the plant, cut each one off above its stems. If you prefer the flavor of the spicier red fruit or plan on drying your peppers, give them another two weeks or so before harvesting.
You can harvest as often as you like provided there are ripe peppers. Doing so will encourage new peppers to sprout, so for maximum yield it’s best to harvest regularly.
Growing Poblano Peppers
Growing poblano peppers indoors is an easy way to get some delicious peppers into your diet. The proper soil, moisture levels, and lighting will ensure you have an abundance of delicious veggies year-round for all your favorite dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you store poblano peppers?
Storing poblanos is easy, with several methods to choose from. You can dry the peppers on a counter or in the sun. They can also be sliced and placed on a cookie sheet to freeze, then transferred to a bag until you’re ready to use them. You can pickle or can the peppers or turn them into jelly or relish if desired.
What pests to watch for?
Pests are usually a bigger threat to outdoor plants than those grown indoors, but they may still be a problem. A few to watch for include aphids, caterpillars, or spider mites. These can enter your home through windows, doors, or on other plants. Use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other organic pesticides to combat these invaders.
Do poblano peppers require staking?
Poblano pepper plants can grow to heights of 2 feet or more, so staking them is often recommended. Doing so will prevent the plant’s stems from sagging or breaking, especially with heavy yields.
