How to Grow Cayenne Pepper From a Seedling

Dig a generous amount of compost through the topsoil of the garden bed where you want to plant your cayenne pepper seedlings. Around 3 to 4 inches into the top foot of soil will create a rich and fertile environment for the cayenne peppers to thrive in. The site you choose needs to have full sun.

Leave the garden bed for a week or two to let the compost combine with the soil. If you live in a tropical climate, cayenne peppers can be planted almost year-round; in temperate climates, wait for the last frost date in spring before planting.

Dig a hole as deep and about an inch wider than the pots your seedlings come in. Holes for multiple seedlings should be spaced about 18 inches apart. Water the seedlings lightly so that the soil is damp and doesn’t crumble away from the roots when you replant.

Wedge the stem of a seedling in between your middle and index finger and have your palm flat against the soil of the seedling pot. Gently tip the pot upside down and lift it up and away from the roots of the seedling. Peppers dislike having their roots disturbed so be as gentle as possible.

Place the seedling into the prepared hole and back-fill it with garden soil, pressing down firmly to stabilize the plant but not hard enough to form a crust on the soil. Repeat until all your cayenne pepper seedlings are planted.

Mulch the seedlings well, leaving about 2 to 3 inches free around the base of the seedling. Keep the seedlings well-watered but don’t let the soil become soggy. The seedlings should be mature and producing fruit after two to three months.