Why Are My Bell Peppers Growing Small?

Are there numerous small pepper fruits on one plant?

Did you bought pepper transplants from the nursery?

Are your peppers planted too densely?

Are you keeping your peppers well-irrigated?

Does the climate of your region favor the cultivation of peppers?

Did you amend your soil for pepper production?

Your plant may have set too many fruits at once. Usually, when this happens the plant cannot keep up with the nutrient uptake to produce big fruits. You can solve this problem by pinching some of the fruits during the growing phase. The plant will then divert all the nutrients to the remaining fruit and they should grow large.

Peppers are typically grown from transplants started in greenhouses for sale in nurseries and garden supply centers. Choosing the right seedling is crucial if you want to have healthy, big fruits. To ensure robust growth with large peppers, choose healthy plants that have three to five sets of true leaves. True leaves look like adult leaves. Do not select a seedling that has already flowered and developed peppers.

Pepper plants need sufficient space between them to get the water and nutrients they need. If you plant them too close to one another, you may end up with stunted pepper plants that can't grow robustly and yield large peppers. Plant them 18 or more inches apart with at least 24 inches between rows.

To prevent flowers from dropping and the growth of small peppers, it’s critical to give them enough water when they’re flowering and setting fruit. They need about 1 inch of water a week. Once they’re established, soak the roots at least 4 feet down with a soaker or drip hose. If you have sandy soil that drains quickly, water your peppers more often. Mulching will keep the water content of the soil stable.

Peppers typically require a growing season of 120 days and grow best at daytime temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperatures are low in your area, peppers may take an additional 15 to 20 days to mature.

Peppers are heavy feeders. You should add alfalfa, cottonseed, or fish meal to planting beds before planting. Side dress peppers with aged compost or blood meal (about 2 tablespoons per plant) when fruits start to form. This will ensure enough nutrients for healthy fruit production.

Some varieties of peppers, like Cherry peppers or Mini Sweet Peppers, are naturally small. There is nothing wrong with them. Enjoy eating them this year and plant a variety that grows larger in the following year.