How to Grow Thai Chili Peppers in Pots

Wash the container in soapy water and rinse in one part bleach mixed with nine parts water. Fill with two parts potting soil, one part compost mixed with 1 tablespoon 5-10-10 slow-release fertilizer. This creates rich soil for the Thai chili pepper plant.

Put on garden gloves to protect your hands from oil in the pepper plant. Dig a hole in the soil with a hand trowel and place the root ball in the pot. Fill the hole with soil and firm it around the plant. Spread 1/2 inch of straw mulch around the stem to keep the roots warm. Place a tomato cage around the Thai chili pepper plant to support the plant as it grows.

Place the Thai chili pepper plant in a sunny area. Space the plants 18 inches apart so they do not tangle up each other. Do not set the pepper plants outside until the nighttime temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Set up a shelter for the pepper plants to protect the plant from strong winds.

Pour water in the top of the pot until it runs out the bottom. Water the plant whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Do not let the pot sit in standing water, so remove any trapped water in the water-catch tray. Excessively wet conditions will drown the roots of the pepper plant.

Sprinkle 12-12-12 slow-release fertilizer on the soil in the pot. Use the recommended rate on the package. Feed the Thai chili pepper plant after two or three fruits have appeared. Water the plant to start the fertilizer working.

Pull any invading weeds should they happen to grow in the container. Pepper plants growing in containers do not have enough resources to share them with weeds. Keeping the weeds out of the plant pot makes the pepper plant grow healthier.

Wear gloves and use a sharp knife to cut the peppers from the plant when they have grown to the desired size. Do not rub your eyes or nose while handling the pepper to keep the oil from causing problems. Do not wait for the peppers to turn color before harvesting since color does not change the taste of the fruit.