How Long Do Blooms Stay on Hot Peppers Before They Turn to Peppers?

Average Time Period

• Hot peppers retain their flowers for only about three days before they fall off. Often drooping downward, pepper blossoms produce a lot of nectar and sugars in their short lifespan. As production increases throughout the day, the sugary treat entices pollinators to visit the plant. Because pepper plants must expend a lot of energy to produce nectar, each flower does not last very long regardless if it is pollinated or not. They must conserve as much energy as possible to direct it into fruit development afterward, depending on flowering density. (See Reference 4 and personal experience)

Self-Pollination

• Pepper plants do not produce large, showy flowers. In fact, the tiny white blossoms are often hidden amongst the green foliage. They do not solely rely on insects for fruit set, which usually requires a large, extravagant flower display to attract pollinators. Hot pepper blossoms can self-pollinate. As winds move the flowers about, pollen grains rub off of male stamens and fertilize the female stigma. If insects do visit the plant, they jostle the flowers as well to achieve self-pollination. Because of their mild, preferred climate, hot peppers continually produce blossoms during warm weather for fruit set and development. (See Reference 3, 4)

Insect Activity Benefits

• Cross-pollination through insect activity allows your hot pepper plants to produce fruits with increased genetic diversity, along with higher fruit yields over time. Local conditions may also impede self-pollination, making cross-pollination an important alternative. Shady and humid conditions causes failed pollen adhesion during self-pollination. High temperatures also impede fertilization. Insects actively foraging among the blossoms, however, increases reproductive success as pollen grains move between flowers and different plants for better fruit sets. (See Reference 4 and personal experience)

Environmental Influences

• Blossoms may drop prematurely if the surrounding environment is stressful. For example, waterlogged roots from overwatering causes flower drop before fertilization or no blossom development at all. Peppers need a well-drained soil site with full sunlight. Nighttime temperatures dropping below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can increase the time period between flowering and fruit set. Root competition also impedes flowering potential. Allow at least 12 inches between plants to reduce natural resource limitations. (See Reference 1 through 3)