Ever wondered why your bell peppers sometimes turn out smaller or oddly shaped? While bell peppers thrive in warm weather, excessive heat during blossom formation can result in underwhelming harvests. The good news? There are simple solutions to help your plants beat the heat and produce beautiful, healthy peppers.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Why bell peppers can be affected by heat and how it impacts their growth.
Practical tips to manage bell pepper heat stress and keep your plants thriving.
Bonus advice for extreme heat, like using shade cloths for added protection.
Let’s dive into how you can give your bell peppers the boost they need for a better harvest!
Bell Pepper Heat Stress: Why Bell Peppers Struggle in Excessive Heat
Despite being warm-weather favorites, bell peppers are sensitive to extreme heat—especially during blossom formation. High temperatures can lead to smaller, misshapen peppers that, while still edible, may leave you feeling a bit disappointed come harvest time.
Fortunately, there are a few straightforward ways to help your plants handle the heat:
3 Ways to Help Your Bell Peppers
Water More Often During a heatwave, keeping your plants’ roots cool is key. Watering a bit more frequently helps regulate soil temperature and prevents stress on your peppers. If you're using a Garden Grid™ watering system, it’s easy to keep the soil consistently hydrated without overwatering.
Wait for Cooler Weather Sometimes patience is the best remedy. Even if your plants produce a few smaller peppers during peak summer heat, they’ll bounce back as temperatures drop. Bell peppers thrive when daytime and nighttime temperatures are between below 70°F-80°F, above 90°F the plant will be fine, but blossoms will begin to stress and/or drop.
Use Shade Cloth for Extreme Heat If your garden gets plenty of direct sunlight and temperatures soar, consider adding a shade cloth. A good shade covering can reduce the temperature in your garden by up to 10°F, giving your peppers the break they need to grow properly. 🙌
What We Do in Zone 9 (Florida)
In our Zone 9 garden, summer temperatures often stay above 80°F—even at night. To protect our bell peppers, we rely on strategies like frequent watering and shade cloths to manage heat stress. As fall approaches and the weather cools, we see our peppers perk up and produce healthier fruit.
