6 Places You Should Never Plant Peppers, According to Gardening Experts

Planting peppers in these areas may reduce yields and stunt growth.

Peppers growing on a plant — Credit:
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Peppers are a popular crop in many edible summer gardens. To ensure an abundant harvest, choosing the proper planting location is essential. Peppers need full sun, well-draining soil, and adequate moisture to produce healthy, delicious fruits. Growing these plants in the wrong location has a range of consequences, including reduced yields, stunted growth, and even death. Ahead, horticulturists share the places in your garden you should never plant peppers—and the reasons why.

Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at the University of Maine Extension
Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University and author of Plants Are Speaking. Are You Listening?

In Low-Light Areas

Peppers need six to eight hours of full sun to produce an abundant crop. "If they are planted in too much shade, they may grow slowly, become thin and leggy, and produce fewer flowers," says Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at the University of Maine Extension. "Fewer flowers usually mean fewer peppers. The fruit may also take longer to ripen, especially in cooler climates or shorter growing seasons."

Where Water Pools

Avoid planting peppers in areas where water pools or is slow to drain after rain or irrigation. Standing water limits oxygen around the roots, which pepper roots do not tolerate well. "The plants may turn yellow, stop growing, drop flowers, or develop root rot," says Singh. "Even if they survive, they are likely to be weak and less productive."

In Pest-Prone Areas

Growing peppers in areas where pests are a recurring problem can put your plants under pressure early, which they may not survive. Peppers are most susceptible to spider mites and aphids. "Aphids curl the leaves and suck the sap from the plant, stunting its growth," says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University. "Spider mites stipple the leaves, removing sap. The leaves may drop. Fine webbing will appear on the pepper plant."

In Small Areas

Peppers need enough space for their roots and branches to grow. Overcrowding them in a small area will cause them to compete with surrounding plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients. "Crowding also reduces airflow, keeping leaves wetter for longer and increasing the risk of disease," says Singh. "The result is often smaller plants, fewer peppers, and more pest or disease issues."

Where Other Nightshades Were Planted

Crop rotation is key for all plants, especially for members of the nightshade family. "Peppers should not be planted in the same spot where tomatoes, potatoes, or eggplants were recently grown," says Singh. "These crops are all in the nightshade family and can share many of the same soilborne diseases and pests." Planting peppers where other nightshades were previously grown increases the risk of problems such as verticillium wilt, bacterial spot, and blight.

In Compacted Soil

If your garden has heavy, compacted soil, consider growing peppers in containers instead. "Compacted soil limits root development, while poor soil can lead to weak plants and low yields," warns Singh. "The best place for peppers is a warm, sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, well-drained soil and consistent moisture."