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.
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
Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno PoppersThere’s no faster way to get a party started than with these bacon jalapeno poppers. Make them ahead and bake just before serving. Even the those who are intolerant of hot peppers will love them. —Dawn Onuffer, Crestview, Florida
Chicago-Style Hot GiardinieraI've been living in Chicago for the last 12 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
Peachy Serrano Pepper WingsBring the heat and a kiss of sweet peach jam to the table with these irresistible sriracha chicken wings. —Crystal Holsinger, Waddell, Arizona
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 & Pepper Stir-FryThink of this stir-fry as your chance to play with heat and spice. I balance the savory beef with coconut milk and a spritz of lime. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida
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 ChiliTender pork adds extra heartiness to this slow-cooked chili. You can use pork tenderloin, boneless pork roast or boneless pork chops for the pork called for in the recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sausage-Stuffed JalapenosIf you like foods that pack a bit of a punch, you’ll love these jalapeno poppers filled
with sausage and cheese. This is one of my favorite recipes for parties. —Rachel Oswald, Greenville, Michigan
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 Egg CasseroleTomatoes and green chiles give color and zip to this extra-cheesy egg bake. It's a favorite for breakfast or brunch but it can be enjoyed for lunch or supper, too. —Mary Steiner, West Bend, Wisconsin
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
Chili con Queso El DoradoUsed as a dip or a sauce on burgers, chicken or pork, this creamy queso is spiced with chiles, chipotle peppers and hot pepper sauce. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
Spicy Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and PeppersI love to share my cooking, and this hearty sheet-pan dinner has built a reputation for being tasty. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi
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
Texas Jalapeno JellyA jar of this sweet and spicy jelly is always warmly appreciated. To add an extra southwestern accent, I trim the lid with a snappy bandanna print fabric. —Lori McMullen, Victoria, Texas
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 PoppersThese creamy stuffed jalapeno poppers have some bite. They may be the most popular treats I make! My husband is always hinting that I should make a batch. —Lisa Byington, Johnson City, New York
Avocado Crab BoatsThese boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
Updated: Jun. 06, 2023
