It's Time To Do THIS With Your Pepper Plants!

[@Firevine]

It was 80 and beautiful here in Georgia yesterday. It's going to be 29 tomorrow. I absolutely _rushed_ to do all of this yesterday. And yes, it was painful. I had an incredibly productive ghost pepper plant this year. I picked 70 peppers off of it _yesterday_ . I easily got 200+ total from it. I have named it Gengar. I have started making my own hot sauces, so I can not tell you just how much I want this monster of a plant to survive. It got sunburned after we bought it, and we cut it back to a little twig. It grew enormous. It dominated a 4x3 bed and the only other pepper that survived its wrath was a thai chili.

[@ofrecentvintage]

I hope Gengar survives for you! Sounds like an amazing plant!

[@DanlowMusic]

I would love for a pepper plant to produce anything close to that. I did finally get peppers in my third year of trying though. So I now have a range to aim for for starting them.

[@elainepanthera5444]

I have a raggy, spotty, wrinkly leaf bell pepper plant my neighbor threw out over a year ago. It actually produces golf ball size peppers that are rather sweet tasting. Not many, but - IT LIVES!. Its in one of those ratty black plant pots, I left it out last winter (florida winter??) and it just won't die. I call it - Seymour The Mutant Pepper Plant. It just won't die... 🤣

[@wroabgilmore9719]

Here in the Philippines we eat those chili leaves,good addition to soups,nutitious too.

[@yeevita]

Pepper leaves are delicious! Just a light sautee works.

[@donhorak9417]

You're a monster, Luke! Hacking an innocent plant with shears! I know, it's brutal but, we gotta do it. I prefer to ease my favorite peppers and cherry tomatoes into this transition over several days or weeks, observing how they react and choosing the best candidates for this stressful activity of overwintering. Am I hoping to reduce stress on the plant or, am i reducing my own stress? Both! Don't forget the hardening off process in the Spring. Get some early harvest!

[@D71219ONE]

I’ve overwintered peppers, but it’s just not worth it for me. It’s a lot of work and it takes up a lot of space indoors for a maybe an extra month of production. I just plant extra early producing crops to make me feel better now, lol.

[@marygrott8095]

I agree. I tried it once, just because I was curious t see how it would do. The plant survived indoors over the winter, but I really didn't notice much more growth in the spring. So, like you, I don't think it's worth it, especially since there's a risk of posts hitching a ride on the plant.

[@MB-co6qj]

​@@marygrott8095the biggest difference is that you can fertilize the older plants right away at full blast

[@zoeshorthouse7913]

The only reason I would bring a plant indoors would be so I can have peppers during the winter. If I have to remove all the peppers before potting it up, what's the point?

[@lindamarie1207]

Mine died 😭

[@sundrop3911]

I did this also last fall. When spring came I planted it with my newly purchased seedlings, and my over wintered plant didn't really produce that much earlier than the ones I purchased. So, for me also it wasn't worth it.

[@growingingracebyhisgrace3927]

I have been overwintering pepper plants for the last 5 years and I love it!!! Helps me get through the winter doldrums to have a part of my garden still alive to care for. This year I was able to save 23 pepper plants!!! I used a variety of sizes of pots, so any pot bigger than a 1 gal got 2 or 3 plants!!! Altogether I have 14 pots of peppers 🌶️ 🫑 🙌🏼

[@ofrecentvintage]

Thank you for sharing! Over the past 5 years, have most of the peppers you tried to overwinter survived this process? How many do you typically lose? I want to try for the first time but I'm not sure if it's worth the challenges it will create for me indoors.

[@growingingracebyhisgrace3927]

I’ve only lost one or 2, maybe 3, over the past 5 years… mostly due to a lack of watering (I think). One of the biggest lessons in gardening (as well as life in general), is, you’ll never know if you don’t try! I think the personal knowledge and skill/practice gained is worth it alone! So don’t be shy, give it a try!!! 👍🏼 do at least a few to have a better chance of a nice, early producing bumper crop of fresh peppers sooner than those who didn’t try 😉🤗

[@ofrecentvintage]

@@growingingracebyhisgrace3927 That's true: nothing ventured, nothing gained! Thank you for your response 😊 (And losing "1, 2, maybe 3" in 5 years isn't bad at all! Now let's hope I don't introduce any pests 😅)

[@growingingracebyhisgrace3927]

@@ofrecentvintage you are very welcome 🤗 you can spray down your plants and water them in with spinozad or diluted hydrogen peroxide, or the mosquito bits tea. God bless your pepper project 🙏🏼🙌🏼

[@jalford383]

it was 82 degrees here in South Carolina today, we have lows forecast in the 30s for the middle of the week. I got some work to do it appears !

[@joesqudy]

Yeah our weather went from 95 degrees last week to 45 degrees today. What the heck! Gotta put up all my peppers before it gets too cold 🥶 ❌⭕️🙏🏽♥️

[@craighalle7892]

The first time I overwintered a pepper plant was maybe 20 years ago. I potted it and put it on my desk at work. It quadrupled in size and I harvested peppers all winter from it and more when I planted outside. Last year I did 4 or 5 plants and I pruned the tops off but didn't know about the roots. They were under my grow lights and formed blossom and fruit a I didn't know to remove. No good flavor though. When I was ready to plant in my beds I tried to harden them off and most died. Not supposed to do that? Next year I will give them their own bed and hopefully they'll do better.

[@mcatronw]

I overwintered peppers for the first year last year after two bad pepper yields since I moved farther north to New Jersey from the South. I will always do this now! I barely get anything off of a first year pepper, it’s just not hot enough long enough here. Everything I overwintered (that survived) was a massive producer!!!

[@Whitey166]

thanks for giving a timeframe for when to do this. no other video says when to start overwintering...

[@heysuz701]

I did it with a pepper plant that was given to me. It didn’t produce peppers the first year but I wanted to try them and be able to save some seeds. Worked out perfect and I got a huge harvest the second year.

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

Here in coastal NorCal I have about a 30% success rate overwintering peppers outside in their original containers with just a heavy pruning. I think this year I'll try pulling a few into the house for the winter to see if that works better. Thanks, Luke!

[@Capt083]

Sand hills here we brought our's in yesterday.

[@joesqudy]

Even though your in Cali you need to bring them in especially in the colder areas. I am from Corona/Chino and I only had to bring them in once because of the cold. But I recommend doing it always as a precaution to the cold. Happy gardening😃 ❌⭕️🙏🏽♥️

[@Franciso-so1bg]

This will be my 4th year trying this out. I have not been very successful with it yet. I think part of my issue is that I take the plant from a regular garden plot. Not sure what part I'm not doing correctly. But I will keep experimenting with it. One day I hope to get it and then I will be in pepper heaven for sure!

[@christophergetchell6490]

My peppers are STILL flowering and trying to set new fruit! Tomorrow I am going to do this with a few of them and put them to rest for the winter. I hope to get a nice head start, but I will also grow some new ones to refresh and go along with that! See you Wednesday at 2!

[@SilverSaabArc]

If your plants are very healthy, you can also try and attempt stem cutting before you prune them down. I get a roughly 50/50 success rate with steril seed starting mix and rooting hormone for most varieties. Chinense with thick stems work well, and Manzano, which you need to start now for the 2024 season! Small Annuums have the lowest success rates for me with stem cutting. I havent tried it on Frutescens yet.

[@lisag6906]

I'm trying to overwinter my peppers for the first time this year. I was able to save 105 of them! If it works, I'll get a jumpstart in the spring and save some money. Win-Win

[@tompatchak8706]

I’m in Chicago. Ima try this with my fresno peppers and a couple poblano peppers

[@Flava11]

I over winter my peppers every year. It’s so worth it . Biggger harvest every year. Every easy to do. I soak my roots in water and 3% peroxide for ten minutes then put them in 1/2 gallon pots. This helps get rid of the out door pest.

[@jennyb3726]

Hi Luke, can you show us how your overwintered pepper plants are doing now in March? Mine have bushed out and I’m trying to figure out how to contain them for the next 60 days. Thanks!

[@musicianswife8596]

My first frost is tonight… I’m seriously debating digging up a few plants when I get home from work tonight and seeing if any survive through spring.

[@brittanyfry3103]

I overwintered my peppers and it worked beautifully. Watering will kill them faster than anything. I also don’t have heat, just wood, and they handled it in my sunroom on the top rack of my shelf. I keep them all in the clear plastic drawers that come with the three drawer storage bins, and that works BEAUTIFULLY so no dirt or water gets on anything below the plants on the top shelf. Thanks MIGARDENER! this summer, there were a gazillion peppers on the plants that I overwintered. My husband was super skeptical and now he sees that a little effort goes a long way, especially for my rare peppers that are sooo delicious (red and yellow sweety drops)

[@fredwhitmore3737]

I’m glad I live in the Deep South peppers all winter .

[@NancySutherland]

Last year I overwintered my Tabasco pepper plant because I didn’t get a good harvest the first year. It was great this summer so I brought it in again. I didn’t cut it back or remove leaves last year, and didn’t yet this year, but I will. It’s huge!

[@camicri4263]

Cool, thanks Luke! I have seen this several times but tomorrow I have to take the pepper plant inside because tomorrow night is going to freeze

[@gcdrummer02]

SE Michigan 6B/5A here. I'm hoping to set up next winter for seed starting and overwintering peppers.

[@cindyskillman544]

Thanks so much! Very helpful; heading up to the greenhouse to try and save some of my pepper plants with your clear and succinct advice!

[@patricialee8178]

Thanks for mentioning that you need to take off any flowers. I bought mine inside about 4 weeks ago and it’s making little buds. I picked them off but I wasn’t sure that I did the right thing.

[@allisonbond3493]

I tried this once before, but realize now, that the pots were too big. My peppers were so happy and productive this year, I have to try again. Thanks Luke!

[@fiftyyearflood580]

Right on queue, I was wanting to move my three habanero plants indoors and wasn't sure how to proceed. Thanks for giving the exact information I was seeking!

[@gardentours]

I overwinter some of my plants regularly 🌶 This year those ones took longer to produce peppers 🌶 🌶🌶 than the ones that I've sown new in February but I will still do it again the other years it was different.

[@nettierg]

Meant to do my this past weekend. Didnt do it, so thought i could do this weekend. We just got snow 😫. It never snows this early. Even my brussel sprouts are under a foot of (soft) snow 😢

[@fincarosa6767]

I just picked my 1st few peppers yesterday. Besides the Tabasco that I've had going for 7 months. But it's my 2nd round of peppers, because I live in the Caribbean. They grow all year here.

[@mollysmith6055]

Too late, we've already had snow. But at least I was able to harvest all the peppers in time. Maybe next year.

[@donhorak9417]

ALWAYS over winter some super productive individuals and extra tasty specimens. Try this with cherry tomatoes, too. The reward makes it worth the effort. Early fruits and harvests!

[@Hhalo2]

Thanks for this! There’s a freeze coming through tonight and my one, lonely jalapeño was gonna bite the dust.

[@charliezicolillo]

Hi can you use coffee containers.I would clean all the soil off the roots and use in a 5 gal pail mix insecticidal soap and cold press neem oil.Cover the plant with the mix to prevent bring in any insects,bugs and disease.

[@strawberrymage8593]

My cockatoo loves peppers. I'm glad I have plenty in the freezer for him, but I think this year I'll go ahead and bring a few plants in. Maybe I can get even more to grow next year! Yay!!

[@madhat127]

Hi, This is my first year of growing pepper plants. My first year of gardening really. It has been relatively successful, with a good amount of different tasty peppers. Some that I definitely want to try to overwinter. Wish me luck. I have watched many of your vids over the past few months. So a big thanks to you for all the info and help. Kind regards Mark from Isle of Wight, UK : )

[@brittanyfry3103]

Wish I could post photos here of the keystone giant I overwintered, it produced the biggest bell pepper I’ve ever seen! Don’t think that would have been possible if I had grown it from seed.

[@salysok2378]

this year is my first time overwintering my pepper plants , i hope it goes well

[@dialarkingsley3924]

Great information, tx. We had a great growing season for peppers this year here in Toronto area, Ontario. Came across your video. Going to give it a try. Be nice to have peppers early in the summer. Tx again.

[@debrakrause7570]

I overwintered a pepper plant 2023 into 2024 and it survived. I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you for the tips!

[@fizzypop1858]

Thanks for this video. Totally doing this to my precious peppers this time!!!

[@Kate-xx8uh]

I didn’t know I could do this but I already pulled all my peppers out 😢 but I’ll try this next year. Your step by step detail is incredibly helpful. Love learning from you. As always, Thank you!

[@IAMGiftbearer]

I will have to do this eventually with mine but last night had a frost sooner than expected and just had time to put plastic bags around them. Amazingly enough they got through it just fine!

[@TaLeng2023]

We don't have winter but rainy season sucks for peppers. The primary question for me is when to replace the pepper plant. Like, up to how many weeks are they gonna be productive?

[@antoinettegreen2555]

I cut mines down further than what you did. I leave a Y shape only and it works for me.

[@nbo304]

What peppers lol? Mine got killed by frost a while ago in Indiana. Also, idk where people put them, unless you have a giant sunroom

[@bethanysworld9312]

The grow lights that I have are for seed starting. What brand/model would work well for trying to over winter bell peppers?

[@SuburbanSodbuster]

I just moved 12 Jalapeno and 8 Habanero plants indoors. I moved some indoors last year, but forgot about them in the garage and ended up with dried out twigs. Hopefully this year I'll be a better caretaker.

[@tompatchak8706]

And how’d they work out?

[@madammazon2942]

Thank you for this! It's so reassuring to watch someone who knows what they're doing so I know I'm on the right track. I tried moving peppers indoors last year but had a hard time watering with my dry air. Here's to a good winter season!

[@LifeSpringFarmsllc]

Great Video, this is my first season trying to overwinter the pepper plants,, With your tutorage, anything is possible.. thx

[@earthisflat]

I don't think I've ever transplanted my pepper plant and brought it indoors, I usually just leave them be and let nature hold and there usually fine, of course I do live in a warmer climate so if you live in a cooler climate I would definitely do this 👍

[@Compost101]

Thank you I have a jalapeno plant that has been doing well and was born in a worn bin. So I am going to try this. Your soil is amazing

[@carolbjornsen487]

Thanks for the tip of the pot size. I tried this last year and failed. I now believe the pot was too big.

[@JamieE76]

Hi Luke! Did your peppers survive the winter indoors, and if yes, have you transplanted them outside yet this season?

[@justynwolf6402]

great video. I've watched other videos about overwintering peppers and yours is my fav so far. lots of tips for success. thanks so much!

[@phillipharding3616]

I already pulled my peppers out for the first time this year. After watching your video I feel good about it. Only I used 1 gal pots. Thanks for the info.

[@legauxmc]

I’m trying this year Started to winterize a few pepper plants, will be putting them in my shed. Hopefully it won’t get to cold.

[@jeaniepartridge6701]

I tried this year before last and had a couple of peppers through winter but did ni=ot find it more productive the next summer. It wasn't worth it for me.

[@monikasturm2575]

My husband did this all day today since the temps decided to drop.

[@dennisfenner5957]

Sound and video is working. Great video so far

[@dish797]

Should you pluck new foliage that may pop while indoors?

[@tabottietjen3186]

Wish you posted this last week because it already frosted here in Boise

[@jenniferjones5017]

My pepper plants are growing in 3 gal & 5 gal pots. Should I still pull the peppers out and put them in 1/2 gal pots?? Zone 7b

[@Craftysheila]

Oh my! I did everything wrong! I left the leaves on, I didn't pulled off the fruit and I didn't cut back the roots enough. I have it in a big pot (along with a ginger I also brought in)...oh boy I have some work to do!

[@donhorak9417]

Luke, you should have mentioned hardening off..

[@IAMGiftbearer]

Oh I was meaning to ask you; if a pepper plant has a single stalk until further up do you prune it to just that stalk or go up above where the branches are even if it's a foot or higher up?

[@hoosierpioneer]

I did this 2 days ago. 4 I removed leaves and pruned. 2 I kept whole for now, still ripening. We'll see.

[@wendyleslie6461]

Great video! I have a few peppers I want to bring in and you've inspired me to give it a try. I got them planted late so I'm hoping, if they survive winter, I'll have a head start for them in the spring. How often should you water? I was thinking of watering from underneath, so it took water when it needed it.

[@viniceduring1402]

Unfortunately, I had surgery, and we had freezing temperatures in NE. and I didn't get them moved indoors.

[@corrineadams7303]

I have a question. I grew my peppers in pots, 2.5 gallon, so that I can bring them inside this year. Now must I pull those plants out of those large pots and chop down the roots and replant into tiny half gallon pots???

[@yeevita]

Nope. Just move your pots indoors. Possibly prune the tops of them, if the lighting situation changed from what they are used to, or you want them to go dormant indoors. Otherwise, enjoy. The less you do to them, the more they will just grow as they have been growing. Edit: I have seen some people completely clean up their plants and replace all soil due to worry over pests. It depends partly on how you will be overwintering your peppers. If you are worried about bringing outdoor pests to your indoor plants, then yes, You will need to remove the leaves, and possibly do something with the soil. I think like Luke says, I don't have too many issues with outdoor soil, so if it is a worry, just remove the leaves and clean or trim the stems. If they are going into a place all for them, I am not sure I would worry too much, except maybe trim a bit to lessen the stress of the move.

[@JohnnyZBeatZ]

Thanks 🙏

[@deltorres2100]

I have been overwintering peppers of all kinds for years and yes, it works great🫑🌶️🫑🌶️🫑🌱🌱

[@valjalava1951]

Great video just wondering how much to water this

[@MaliksGardeningJourney]

I overwintered mines, when I ran out of space I left the rest outside, they are still beautiful though 😭

[@MariaInSoFla]

I'm with babalman. I grow in Zone 10, which I hear is considered the sub-tropics. I've heard that both peppers and eggplant can be grown as perennials "with a little care". Care to share what that care might be? I enjoy your videos. They are very encouraging to those of us that are new to growing our own food. Thank you so much!

[@yeevita]

In that zone, I don't think you guys freeze at all. You should not need to do much except possibly give it a feed if you see new growth happening or temperatures encourage new growth. Other than that, care for it normally.

[@robingirven4570]

Well, I replanted my Tabasco plants into pots. Now I’m going to bring them inside and see if I can keep them going. Thank you Luke!

[@sksnnsksnsnsbsbb]

so can i put my pepper in the garage .. all through out the winter without sunlight

[@lindag7270]

I am planning to put my pepper plants into my unheated garage for the winter. I don’t have room inside my house. I was told I could do that. Is that incorrect? I am in Michigan zone 6 I think.

[@nikkster01]

tried this last year after finding these posts as I didnt realise we could I saved 12 plants and 2 survived but I only had a cold indoor room to put them in not sure if its worth it as the original plants grew to be very big anyway the 2 dont seem to be in a hurry to leaf up either

[@phoxpharms]

I think Nov 1 might be a bit too late to take peppers indoors. When I over witner plants, I try to take them in about mid October. By the end of October this year Bedford Michigan had 3 nights of sub freezing temps. Now by November we have already had multiple freezing nights, and snowfall. So I aim for mid October. I grew the same Habanaro for 3 years before she passed during the 4th winter. Now I find it is not worth the time, effort, indoor pests, etc. to take them inside unless you have a very prime plant. Otherwise, If I can grow a pepper in a single season and get pounds of peppers that season, no point.

[@Bruce_W29]

What about watering once inside? How often would I water it

[@TrixieJFerguson]

Will this process work moving the plant into a heated greenhouse instead of inside using grow lights? I am in south-central Texas so it’s naturally humid anyway and I try hard not to allow my greenhouse to drop below 40 degrees at night. During the day, I have vent windows (4 windows in a 12x12 greenhouse) that open automatically with warmth. Would that be too much light?

[@shantelbryan3660]

What about watering the plants? Do you water less?

[@jasonsanders1331]

Will this work after a hard frost it got down below 20 the last 2 nights I was hoping this video came out earlier 😢

[@flyfishdr]

I would do this but the freezer is filling up with peppers from this year's crop

[@BrightestBlessings7899]

No room to take them in, and only hot peppers do well here, so I plant them from seed in January, to plant out in June.

[@catharinephoto]

do you water the new soil in the pot?

[@elainepanthera5444]

watering over winter??? I'm thinking maybe misting, since house is sooo dry. Maybe I'll just - leave them outside again - LIVE OR DIE - lol.

[@ladenamichaud9804]

If I take my peppers in to overwinter do I need to harden them off again?

[@go.gators]

Ty.

[@Dreadnok]

So I have my paper plants in pots do I still have to cut them back like this?

[@yahuahloveyou-jonybuss4058]

do i water them? every once in a while?

[@lidip8700]

I over-wintered several jalapeños, banana, CA Reaper & Ghost peppers last year. They all made it until tge week before planting outside again, that's when the Ghost pepper gave up its ghost! Ha!! But I had others...but that darn plant kept trying to make fruit all winter! Lol lol 》The sand didn't work for me, I battled fungus gnats all winter. 》Sterilized soil has worked 100% Fall Crop i planted in August of peas & cabbage didn't get to develope. Freezing temps last night did them in even though I covered them with black landscaping paper. I live in Central Indiana. We have a few more freezing days to follow this week. Thanks Luke!

[@adriannamunoz4699]

What about if I’m growing my plant in a pot, do I remove the leaves n leave the plant on my pot?? Thank you

[@Smiley4960]

I'm wondering if this would work similarly with a rosemary plant?

[@MIgardener]

Give it a shot!

[@rosem7042]

My rosemary plants have done fine in zone 7 over a few winters now.

[@Smiley4960]

@@rosem7042 I unfortunately live in zone 5.

[@yeevita]

You might want to check how rosemary does in your area outdoors. It seems very tolerant of freeze.

[@rusty4134]

Luke, Great video. Question on the flowering. For the past 2 years I have overwintered my peppers and they will continue to produce all winter (zone9), why should I not let them flower until spring?

[@JonTopping]

I'd be interested in Luke's response to, but for me personally, I've overwintered pepper plants and let them produce, and you just don't get very much because they don't have direct sunlight. I brought it back out come springtime, and it produced tons, so I guess there's no downside to letting them produce, it's just that it might not be worth the

[@yeevita]

This is only for zones that freeze. If yours does not freeze, just leave everything you want to keep as is. No need for all this pruning and drastic stressing out. This is for zones where the pepper or other warm weather plants will die if you do not do something. If yours keeps living and fruiting, leave it.

[@sherriianiro747]

​@@JonToppingThanks for that comment! I would think the point of bringing them inside is to have peppers all winter? I am trying this now and so far they are dormant but my miniature tomato plant is going gangbusters inside (it's one that can grow inside or out so we will see)!

[@JonTopping]

@@sherriianiro747 the main reason for overwintering them is to get a head start in the spring. Even if you start seedlings indoors like a month before last frost, the plants you overwintered will still be way larger and stronger

[@sherriianiro747]

@@JonTopping A few commenters said there was no difference so I will give it a whirl & see what happens!

[@bennyhana3556]

I just took two pepper plants indoor about 4-5 days ago and one is already growing new leafs and the other is not :/ You said it will start grow leafs in spring so im confused.