Pruning Pepper Plants | Should I Top My Pepper Plants?

It’s hot outside, which means it’s prime growing season for summer produce like tomatoes, cucumbers and hot peppers. Gardening TikTok is in full swing, with tips for growing strawberry plants in soda bottles and starting plants in milk jugs so they’ll bloom as steadily as our perennial gardens.

This TikTok posted by @meggrowsplants explains how pruning pepper plants can help increase the number of peppers you harvest. In fact, she uses the method of topping pepper plants, or pruning off the tops of young seedlings, to encourage growth.

@meggrowsplants The ones I topped last year gave me SOO many more peppers than the ones I didn’t! #gardentok #gardening #gardeningtips #gardeninghacks #gardenwithme #growingpeppers #growyourownfood #cottagecore #greenthumb #pepperplant #LENOVOJUSTBEYOU ♬ Up – Movie Theme – Giampaolo Pasquile

See what vegetables you should never grow together, plus companion plantings.

Why Is Pruning Pepper Plants Important?

According to Homestead and Chill, topping pepper plant seedlings will help them grow side branches, which bear more flowers, and eventually fruit. Topping isn’t exclusive to peppers—it’s also useful for tomato gardens, eggplant and other nightshades.

You don’t have to top your pepper plants. The benefits depend on the plants themselves and their environment. In addition to bearing more peppers, pruning pepper plants means they’re less top-heavy and easier to support with a cage or plant stand. They’ll also be bushier, making the peppers less susceptible to burning.

There is one slight hangup: topped pepper plants will take a little longer to bear fruit. So if you live somewhere with a short growing season, sit this one out.

How to Prune Pepper Plants

You can top small types of spicy peppers like jalapenos. (Your larger peppers need more room to grow, so they benefit from being taller.) You’ll need to start pruning pepper plants before they’ve grown too much. Top each pepper plant while it’s still young and only has 6-7 leaves, and leave at least 4 leaves on the seedling.

Hot Pepper Recipes to Spice Up Your Summer

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno PoppersBacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers are a big hit at any gathering, so be sure to make lots. The caramelized sugar coating of this sweet and spicy take on the classic finger food balances their heat, so even guests with timid palates can enjoy them.

Chicago-Style Hot GiardinieraI have been living in Chicago for many years and have grown to love the spicy giardiniera served at restaurants. So I developed my own to use at home. We love it on everything from eggs to sandwiches and even pizza! —Andrea Quiroz, Chicago, Illinois

 

Find more of our top serrano pepper recipes.

Green Chile Shredded PorkPork green chili made in the slow cooker always makes my hungry family happy. Getting creative with the leftovers is part of the fun. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

Three-Pepper GuacamoleIf you’re serious about guacamole, use a molcajete. The lava stone makes a big difference on the pepper paste and is fun for guests. — Laura Levy, Lyons, Colorado

Crisp & Spicy Cucumber SaladRice vinegar, sesame oil and cayenne create a sweet-hot Asian flavor that will light up your taste buds! —Alivia Dockery, Jensen Beach, Florida

Spicy Beef Stir FrySpice up your dinner rotation with our 30-minute beef stir fry recipe. Tender sirloin and crisp veggies meet a fiery coconut-lime sauce for a quick and delicious meal any night of the week.

 

BulgogiI first made this peppery beef with a recipe from my boss, who lived in Korea in the 1950s. Freeze the ribeyes and slicing’s a cinch. —Linda McCane, Chesapeake, Virginia

Slow-Cooker Spicy Pork ChiliThis hearty and flavorful crock pot pork chili is a set-it-and-forget-it weeknight hero.

Sausage Stuffed JalapenosEasy to make, just spicy enough to excite and great-looking, too, these sausage-stuffed jalapeños will be an appetizer you prepare again and again.

Spicy Chunky SalsaVinegar adds a refreshing tang to this sweet tomato salsa. It’s wonderful as is, but for more heat, leave in some hot pepper seeds. —Donna Goutermont, Sequim, Washington

Mexican Breakfast CasseroleThis versatile and tasty Mexican breakfast casserole is ideal for a slow Sunday brunch with friends. Add a side of mimosas for extra fun.

Spicy Rice CasseroleStirring up pork sausage, wild rice and jalapeno to taste makes this a terrific side. Or serve it with cornbread to turn it into a main dish. It’s easy to make ahead and reheat for a potluck meal. —Debbie Jones, California, Maryland

Spicy Shrimp SalsaRadishes add a wonderful crunch to this colorful salsa that is also superb over grilled fish. There’s just enough jalapeno to give flavor without much of the heat. —Mary Beth Relyea, Canastota, New York

Andouille Sausage and PeppersThis tasty sheet pan meal is just what you need when the nights are busy and you have too much to do.

Spicy Peach-Glazed Grilled ChickenSimple chicken on the grill can’t compare with this wake-up-the-taste-buds version. It has just the right mix of spicy and sweet flavors. —Karen Sparks, Glendora, California

Grilled JalapenosWhen barbecuing for friends at home, I also use the grill to serve up hot appetizers. These crowd-pleasing stuffed peppers have a bit of bite. They were concocted by my son. —Catherine Hollie, Cleveland, Texas

Spicy Mashed Potatoes“While cleaning the freezer one day, I uncovered extra filling I had used in an appetizer. I decided to add it to the mashed potatoes for dinner…and it became an immediate favorite,” relates Laurie Balcom of Lynden, Washington.

White Chili with a KickStore-bought rotisserie chicken makes this spicy chili easy, but you could also cook your own. We like it with various combinations of sour cream, green onions, cheese and salsa on top. —Emmajean Anderson, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Jalapeno JellyThis sweet and spicy jalapeno jelly makes for the perfect dip, condiment or appetizer!

Queso FundidoDig in to this one-skillet dip and enjoy the gooey cheese and the spicy kicks from chorizo and pepper jack. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

Grilled Cheese & Pepper SandwichesThis is a tasty and wholesome sandwich to make for one or two. It’s a nice twist on a grilled cheese, very tasty and filling and especially good with rye bread. —Arline Hofland, Deer Lodge, Montana

Mexican Beef-Stuffed PeppersI grew up eating stuffed peppers and thought my husband would immediately love them as well. He didn’t at first, but then I created this slow-cooked recipe. Because he loves fajitas and tacos, I created these peppers with all his favorite flavors tucked inside. —Nicole Sullivan, Arvada, Colorado

Jalapeno PoppersThis jalapeno popper recipe is just what you need when there’s a game on or company coming. They’re quick and easy to assemble, and make a delicious complement to your other party-food favorites.

Crab-Stuffed AvocadoA crab-stuffed avocado recipe blends savory and spicy seafood with the creamy luxury of avocado. Broiled and topped with melted cheese, it’s an effortless and elegant dish.