Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Mattias
Are you ready to spice up your garden with some homegrown jalapenos?
These spicy peppers go very well in many dishes and are relatively easy to grow at home. These delicious peppers are also much tastier than your local grocery store.
But one of the most common issues people seem to have is: how often do you water jalapeno plants?
Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. This article will give you the best ways to keep your jalapeno pepper plants hydrated and healthy. Consider this your step-by-step guide for watering jalapeno plants.
So grab your watering can, and let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How Often Do You Water Jalapeno Plants?
For best results, a jalapeño plant needs approximately 1-2 inches of water each week.
But some factors can affect how often you should water a jalapeno plant.
Let’s go through each of these factors.
Weather Conditions
The weather is the most crucial factor determining how often you should water a jalapeno plant. If it’s planted outside in a warm and sunny climate, it can be a good idea to water it more frequently. Your plant needs a lot of water, but it’s important not to overwater it since it can damage the plant instead.
During dry weather, it’s crucial to keep an eye on soil moisture since the plant may need more frequent watering so the soil doesn’t dry out.
By using a drip irrigation system, you can ensure your plant is getting the perfect water frequency.
It’s pretty simple:
Warm temperatures = your plant needs much water
Cold temperatures = your plant needs less water
On those hot days when temperatures reach 90-100 Fahrenheit (32-38 Celcius), your jalapeño pepper plant may need plenty of water, and if you have it in a larger pot, it may even need water daily.
So remember that, especially with potted plants.
One more weather condition that can affect how often you water jalapeno plants is the wind. It has almost the same effect as high temperatures. So during those days with high winds, your plant will lose some water due to the evaporation in the soil and transportation through the leaves.
Read also: How Often To Water Lavender? Guide (2023)
Where It Is Planted
Jalapeno plants are planted either indoors or outdoors. When grown indoors, jalapeno plants usually require less water than outdoor ones. This is because outdoor jalapeno plants have more hours of direct sunlight, while indoor jalapeno plants only get indirect sunlight (fewer hours of sunlight)
This means that when it’s plated outside, the moisture in their soil will dry out much faster than indoor jalapeno plants, which don’t have access to as much sunlight, and therefore more frequent watering will be needed.
The Size Of The Plant
The size of your jalapeno plant is another factor that decides how often it should be watered.
A large jalapeno plant needs more water than a small jalapeno plant. When a jalapeno plant matures, fruit production starts, and it will begin to carry jalapeno peppers, thus requiring more watering.
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The Type Of Soil It Is Planted On
Choosing good soil is essential since it can affect how frequently you water your plant.
If the soil drains the water poorly, it may take longer for the water to reach the roots of the jalapeno plant, which means that the soil will be wet for a longer time.
This can lead to root rot. On the other hand, if the soil drains too quickly, it may dry out faster, requiring more frequent watering.
Soils with a high clay content tend to retain water more than soils with high sand content. This means a plant grown in clay soil may need less watering than in sandy soil.
You can check the soil in the ground if you’re planting outdoors by digging a hole and filling it with water, then watch how quickly it drains through.
Something else to keep in mind is the soil’s nutrient content. Rich soil may retain moisture longer, so the plant may need less frequent watering.
If you’re using standard garden soil, add 3-5 inches of organic matter (like compost) before planting your jalapeno. To keep the ideal pH level between 6.2 – 7.0.
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How Do You Know When It’s Time To Water Your Jalapeno Plant?
The best and easiest way to know when it’s time to water your jalapeno plant is by checking its soil moisture level.
You can do this using either your fingers or a moisture meter.
You can use your fingers to check soil moisture level by dipping it into the soil. The moisture level you feel with your fingers will decide if it’s time to water it or if you should wait a while before watering it.
A general rule of thumb is only to water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry.
Note: The best advice we can give for potted plants is to check the weight when it’s watered compared to when it’s dry. After a while, you will notice directly when your jalapeno plant must be watered.
Which Type Of Water Is Best For Your Jalapeno Plant?
The type of water best for your jalapeno plant is rainwater or distilled water. Ensure you avoid using tap or hard water to water your jalapeno plant, as they contain hard minerals that can build up in its roots and cause harm to it.
Fun Facts: Jalapeno has between 2000-8000 Scoville heat units.
Read also: How Often To Water Tomato Plants? Master The Art Of Watering (2023)
Can You Overwater A Jalapeno Plant?
Yes, a jalapeno plant can easily be overwatered, but if you follow all the tips we’ve stated above in the text, you should be fine. But here are some signs to look out for.
Yellow Leaves
One significant sign that your jalapeno plant is being overwatered is that its leaves turn yellow.
This could either be because they are overwatered or the water used to water it is more than required; hence, the plant’s roots have sat in water more than they should.
When the leaves turn yellow, they tend to fall off the plant.
Curling Leaves
One more sign to look out for is curling leaves. The leaves may look a bit bubbly and a sign that they’ve been overwatered.
Read also: How Often To Water Herbs? Guide For Watering (2023)
Dropping Leaves
Something else to look out for is dropping leaves. This may confuse you since it’s also a sign of a dehydrated plant. But if your plant is dropping and hydrated, it may be due to overwatering.
In this stage, it’s easy to assume it’s because of dehydration, and many gardeners have made the mistake to start water their plants like crazy, which kills them instead.
So if you find that your plant has dropping leaves, check the soil with your finger, and feel the weight of the plant like we discussed before. Then make a decision.
Slow Growth
If your plant doesn’t seem to grow anymore, it’s a big chance it’s due to overwatering. All the overwatering is making the plant lack the nutrients needed to grow.
Blossom End Root
One typical sign of improper watering is the blossom end root. Most people connect this to a calcium deficiency, but most times, that’s not the case.
Usually, it’s plenty of calcium in your soil. But if the plant is being watered improperly, the calcium can’t reach the jalapeño peppers.
This creates a blackening at the end of your jalapeno (this is common with bell peppers in the grocery store).
The Blossom end root can quickly happen if you find your plant dehydrated for some reason, but don’t start watering it like crazy.
Instead, following a schedule and regular watering is highly recommended.
Note: It’s better to underwater your jalapeno plant than overwater it.
Read also: How Often To Water Potato Plants? Everything About Watering (2023)
How To Fix An Overwatered Jalapeno Plant
If you have an overwatered jalapeno plant, it’s time to take action.
- Stop watering your plant directly.
- Move it to an area with shade.
- Remove any dying leaves or roots.
- Introduce your plant to sunlight slowly again.
It’s essential to give the plant ideal conditions to recover itself. You don’t want to stress this process. Start with a few hours daily and increase once the plant looks good again.
How Much Water Does Your Jalapeno Plant Need In The Seedling Stage / Indoors?
When your jalapeño seedlings are at the seedling stage or the plants are indoors, you can bottom water them. Use a tray and fill it with 3/4 inch of water (2 cm). The water will then be sucked up from the bottom.
If you want to water from the top, it works too. But be careful, especially with young plants, since the stems can be sensitive and easy to break. Try to water at the base of the plant, that way, you won’t risk damaging the plant.
The most crucial thing in this stage is not to overwater any plant. But how much water does a seedling need? Typically they get water every 2-3 days, but you can always use your finger to check the soil if more or less water is required.
Read also: How Often Do You Water Yucca Plants? Ultimate Guide (2023)
How Often To Water Jalapeno Plants Summary
We hope you enjoyed this guide on how often to water jalapeno plants. As you discovered, many factors determine how much water your plant needs.
Good luck with the watering, and once you start to pick these tasty hot peppers, you won’t go back to store-bought peppers again.
Meet Mattias Jonsson, the head of content at RainSaucers. Passionate about gardening and water-related topics, he’s dedicated to providing expert information and resources to help improve your home, health, and wallet. Learn from his research and experience.