Have you ever cut a bell pepper open and thought about saving all those seeds so you could grow your own?
If you wonder how to grow bell peppers from scraps, follow these few steps to have your own peppers the next time you want them.
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How To Grow Bell Peppers From Scraps
Learning how to grow bell peppers from scraps requires several steps, from collecting the seeds and drying them out to germination and then transplanting them into your garden. Just taking the scraps of bell pepper and setting it aside can generate lots of seedlings and is one of the most natural ways to generate them.
Collect and Dry Out Your Seeds
The first step to growing bell peppers from scraps is to collect your seeds from the pepper you are using.
When you cut the pepper, you need to make sure you core it and pull out all the seeds attached to the plant.
By laying them out on a paper towel or napkin, the excess moisture from the seeds will be drawn out, and they will start to dry.
Once they are dry, you can store them for next year’s planting season or go ahead and begin planting.
Toss Damaged Seeds
Since a single pepper can have anywhere from 100 to 200 seeds in the core, you do not have to keep each seed.
If you notice seeds that are darker than others or appear to be bruised, you can go ahead and toss them. Collect seeds that are round and light in color.
Check The Type of Seeds You Have
When you collect these seeds, you can have either heirloom or hybrid seed varieties.
Heirloom seeds are from peppers that have not changed and have been the same for the better part of a century.
This is due to outdoor pollination and has grown out in fields and gardens for years.
Hybrid seeds have had some modification done to their genetics because they crossbred with another pepper.
Begin Planting Your Seeds
Once you have decided to plant your seeds, feel free to get a large seed tray and fill it with some organic potting soil.
You can use the multi-seed trays and allow them to germinate in their own space for up to two weeks.
You will want to keep these seeds indoors around a window or in a greenhouse with a grow light.
Either way, the temperature should be around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit until they start to sprout.
Water Daily
You do not need to give these seeds excessive water, but a good mist will keep the seeds wet and encourage the germinating process twice a day.
If you do not need water daily, the seeds could stop growing and die out before they even begin.
Time To Transplant
While still keeping your bell pepper plants indoors, you will need to transplant them to larger pots once they have leaves and showing signs of significant growth.
Keep the plants indoors and slowly start the hardening process after the last frost for the season, and the weather damage has passed.
Slowly Increase The Hours
When you start the outdoor transition, you want to start small and build up their tolerance to the outdoors.
Begin with a nice shady spot, where they are not overwhelmed by the sun, and begin with an hour.
Each day, add 30 minutes or an hour to their time outside until they are thriving outside and not showing any further signs of shock.
It is Time To Plant
After the hardening process is over, it is time to move your bell pepper plants permanently outside. Bell pepper plants need at the very least 6 hours of sun a day, and more hours will only help the peppers.
If you do not have a large outdoor space and want to continue growing the peppers in pots, make sure to have at least 6 inches of space for the roots in the pot.
You also want to place these pots out in a sunny area around your porch.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Grow Bell Peppers From Scraps
Can I plant some of my seeds now and save some for later?
Only plant what you intend to grow, so you can definitely plant some of the seeds and save the others for later. Once the seeds dry completely, you can store them in your fridge up to 2 years. You want to label them as bell pepper seeds so they are not confused with other pepper seeds.
Do I Need To Have a Super Hot Climate To Grow Bell Peppers?
A very hot climate is not needed. All you need is mild to warm temperatures and a direct link to the sun to have a bell pepper harvest. While they enjoy some of the warmest temperatures, bell peppers still require water and sunlight to grow and produce fruit.
Save Those Pepper Scraps After Your Next Meal
When you decide to cook bell peppers the next time, make sure you save those scraps and put those seeds out to dry.
Bell peppers go great with several cuisines and are very healthy. They provide antioxidants, promote hydration, and are low in calories.
Everyone can enjoy bell pepper because they are not spicy compared to other pepper varieties.
Having a meal full of vibrant bell pepper colors from green, red, yellow, and orange make a beautiful plate when you are cooking at home.
They are even delicious raw, just cut into long thin strips and enjoy raw with a veggie dip of your choice.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.