Best Fertilizers for Peppers: Ratings, Reviews, & Top Picks
Looking for the best fertilizer for your peppers before you start growing them during this year's growing season? Picking the right type of fertilizer for your peppers can be difficult, given the number of options available. In this guide, we review our favorite fertilizers by comparing ingredients, cost, fertilizer type, and more.
If you plan to grow peppers now or in the future, you’ll want to make sure you take the proper steps to ensure they grow productively and healthily. One of the best ways to ensure you get a good harvest is to use the correct type of fertilizer.
Today, tons of fertilizers are designed either for edible fruits and veggies. They are also specifically designed for types of flowers like roses or hibiscus. But it’s getting even more popular to niche down fertilizers that are bio-engineered for specific vegetables like peppers. Knowing which brands to choose ensures you get the results you want.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about choosing the right fertilizer for your peppers. We’ll also give you an in-depth look at our favorite choices that will ensure that your peppers flourish during your next harvest.
At A Glance: Top Pepper Fertilizers
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Contents
Buyer’s Guide: Pepper Fertilizers
There are a few things to look for when you choose pepper fertilizer. From what type of fertilizer is best for peppers to your budget, here are some things to consider when buying fertilizer for peppers.
Fertilizer Numbers
You know those three numbers you see on bags of fertilizer? They are crucial for determining what fertilizer is best for you. In order, those numbers tell you the nitrogen, phosphate (phosphorus), and potash (potassium) content. These will differ based on the vegetable hardiness zone you are in, but generally fall into the same ph/nutrient needs.
Peppers typically need a well-balanced fertilizer. However, this changes depending on what your soil already contains. It is a good idea to test your soil if you want to pick the best fertilizer.
If your soil already has phosphorus, then you want a fertilizer with a low middle number. Of the three, nitrogen is the most important for peppers, but it only proves effective if you fertilize your peppers at the right time.
When To Fertilize Peppers
The best fertilizer in the world won’t help much if you misuse it. It’s crucial that you avoid fertilizing your peppers during their first few weeks of growth. Allow them to mature first. The reason is that it encourages too many leaves and stems from growing rather than flowers and fruit.
Some people get results by fertilizing the soil directly weeks before planting their pepper plants and then beginning direct fertilization again after they bloom.
Pepper or Vegetable Fertilizer?
You may get better results with a specifically formulated pepper fertilizer. However, you might want to choose an all-purpose edible vegetable fertilizer if you’re growing several types of vegetables in addition to your peppers.
Where To Buy
You have a few choices when it comes to buying pepper fertilizers. You can go to your local farm supply or feed store to get specialized formulas, or you can go to a big-box retailer for the most common brands. Buying fertilizer online has also become far more popular in the last decade.
Shopping at a local store may prove more limiting than shopping online, but it does offer some added convenience. You can get your fertilizer faster, and if you run out, it will be much easier to pick up another bag. However, if you have your heart set on a particular brand that you can’t get locally, online is the way to go.
Budget
How many peppers are you planning on growing, and how much fertilizer do you need? You may want to lean towards cheaper brands if you plan on needing a lot of fertilizer, while if you only have a few plants, you might be able to splurge a little.
Always look at the directions for use to find out how much and how often you need to use a specific fertilizer. This is especially important if you are on a budget as it tells you how much and how frequently you should use the fertilizer. If the selection comes down to economy, you want to choose a brand that goes a long way and doesn’t require frequent application.
Top Fertilizers For Peppers
Below we look at our favorite fertilizers for peppers. There are organic options, granular and liquid fertilizers, vegetable fertilizers, and even fertilizers for hydroponics. Many of these fertilizers listed can be used across different vegetables.
It’s not uncommon to use an pepper fertilizer to fertilize onions, or other garden veggies. Whatever your situation, there is a fertilizer here that can help you grow big beautiful peppers.
Miracle-Gro Performance Organics
- Organic Plant Food Formula.
- Enhanced with Micronutrients.
- Weekly feeding for best results.
- Ideal for Vegetables.
- Easy to apply.
- Premixed & ready to use.
- Budget-friendly.
Although Miracle-Gro is one of the most well-known brands in the fertilizer business, it does have various types suited for specific uses. Not all Miracle-gro fertilizers are organic, so it’s important to differentiate them.
This organic fertilizer is ideal for frequent use. It’s recommended for use once per week. This fertilizer and it’s different variations are one of our favorites for all vegetables, including fertilizing cucumbers or fertilizing pumpkins.
It’s also highly versatile and suitable for all types of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. This product comes in a 1 pound back that can fertilize up to 200 square feet. If you’re a new organic gardening enthusiast, this is a great product to help encourage regular pepper production without all the harmful or potentially dangerous ingredients. It’s a good step for producing organic plants that feed your family and friends.
What We Like
- Safe on all plants.
- Gentle for frequent fertilizing.
- Affordable.
What We Don’t
- Small amount.
- Frequent applications.
You can get better results and enjoy safe, organic produce and flowers with this well-known brand.
Greenway Biotech For Peppers
- 11-11-40 Formula.
- High nitrogen content for growth.
- High quality ingredients.
- 100% water soluble.
- Professionally formulated for peppers.
- No heavy metals.
- No harmful materials.
This particular product is a pepper and herb fertilizer with micronutrients. This product is water-soluble and makes up to 1000 gallons of the mixture, which means you get plenty of value for the investment.
At a median price of $50, this is a blend at 11-11- 40, specifically for peppers and other herbs. The ingredients used in these products are only the highest quality and ideal for a few different applications.
You can use it directly in the soil or incorporate it into your regular hydroponics protocol. Additionally, there are no harmful elements in the fertilizer, so that you can rest assured of its safety for edible plants and fruits.
What We Like
- Goes a long way.
- Versatile.
What We Don’t
- Higher price.
If you want an excellent all-around pepper fertilizer for regular use, this one is a good choice.
Burpee Certified Organic Bonemeal
- Organic formula.
- Made with bone meal.
- Made for early season planting.
- OMRI Certified.
- Slow-release nitrogen.
- Ideal for healthy root growth.
- Made in the United States.
Burpee is one of the most well-known and trusted vegetable and herb growers. They also produce top fertilizers for various uses. One of the top products to use with early plant growth and pre-fertilizing needs is organic bone meal.
This fertilizer encourages more green growth and initially sprouts by increasing nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. The phosphorus is beneficial with initial development and enriches the content of the soil.
This selection comes in a 3-pound bag, enough for a large crop for an at-home gardener. This product should be used before planting and right after planting.
What We Like
- Large bag.
- Easy to use.
- Ideal for enriching the soil.
What We Don’t
- Not for use with blooming plants.
- Limited uses.
Remember, this product is only for initial treatment and not for use through the life cycle of the pepper.
Jobe’s Organic Veggie Fertilizer
- Organic formula.
- Budget-friendly.
- OMRI organic gardening approved.
- No synthetic chemicals.
- Biozomes improve soil conditions.
- Helps prevent disease.
- Also helps prevent pests.
Jobe’s Organics9026 Fertilizer is an excellent choice for people who need a safe and effective fertilizer for their pepper crops. They provide a variety of fertilizers, and this particular choice is ideal for vegetables of all types.
This fertilizer comes in a 4-pound bag that goes a long way. It also has a relatively low price, so it’s economical too. It improves your soil’s conditions and also provides additional protection from pets and disease.
It’s a great all-around choice designed to allow gardeners to get healthy, delicious organic crops that they will love.
What We Like
- Organic.
- Large-volume.
- Pest protection.
What We Don’t
- It takes time to dissolve.
If you want a better crop without pesticides, this is a smart choice for home gardeners.
General Hydroponics FloraMicro
- Great for all plant types.
- Ideal for hydroponics.
- Supports fruits and veggies.
- Full plant life-cycle support.
- Provides nitrogen and potassium.
- Best for bloom and growth cycles.
- Budget-friendly.
Many gardeners today are interested in hydroponics. General Hydroponics FloraMicro is perfect for people using this method and customizes their fertilizer specifically for flowers and vegetables.
This product is a liquid that the user can mix for their specific needs and is ideal for various vegetables and flowers. These special fertilizers are sprayed on the plants and serve as a nutrient booster. It’s also safe to use on all cycles, including growth and bloom, and enhances the grower’s yield through the lifetime of the plants.
This product is an excellent all-around fertilizer for those who grow their plants via hydroponic means but might not be ideal for use in solid open gardens.
What We Like
- Nutrient-dense.
- Liquid.
- All stages of growth.
What We Don’t
- Hydroponic use only.
- Small portion.
If you plan to try your luck at hydroponic gardening, you should try this highly effective brand.
Old Farmers Almanac Fertilzier
- OMRI certified.
- 8-4-8 balanced formula.
- Made specifically for tomatoes and veggies.
- Protein-based nutrition.
- Features both quick and slow nutrients.
- Protein based-nutrition.
- Budget-friendly.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac also makes an excellent fertilizer in addition to an entertaining almanac. For many decades, people have trusted The Old Farmer’s Almanac for information, tips, and entertainment.
They also provide gardeners with an organic fertilizer to boost pepper production and give top results. This 2.25-pound bag is designed to cover up to 250 square feet and is ideal for all plants, including trees and shrubs.
You can also use it for indoor and outdoor plants, which makes it highly versatile and suitable for all seasons. It’s particularly effective for the first few weeks of growth up to eight weeks and has an 8-4-8 balance. Although it’s a little more expensive than some brands, it offers more uses and capabilities.
What We Like
- Organic.
- Versatile.
- Indoor and outdoor use.
What We Don’t
- Pricey.
- Only for up to 8 weeks of growth.
If you want a great all-around fertilizer from a top company, this might be the right choice.
Lilly Miller Morcrop Veggie Fertilizer
- Formulated with phosphorus and potassium.
- 5-10-10 Balanced formula.
- Made specifically for tomatoes and veggies.
- Fortified with additional plant minerals.
- Phosphorus and Potassium balance.
- Made with natural ingredients.
- Budget-friendly.
Another top-rated pepper fertilizer is Lilly Miller Morcrop. This 5-10-10 works well for peppers and other vegetables. It has both fast dissolving and acting nitrogen and slow release. It’s ideal for maintaining the levels of nitrogen in the soil over time and provides noticeable results.
One word of caution is that this has phosphorus and might contaminate nearby water supplies. Use this product when your growth and bloom cycle initially starts to encourage robust growth and production. Keep in mind that this isn’t as versatile and safe as other types of pepper fertilizer, but it gives noticeable results in the growth cycle during production.
What We Like
- Encourage robust crops.
- Great for nitrogen balance.
What We Don’t
- Potentially harmful.
- Limited uses.
If you need a fertilizer specifically to boost blooms and growth, this is an option.
Burpee Organic Vegetable Fertilizer
- Organic formula.
- OMRI certified.
- Made specifically for veggies like peppers.
- Long-lasting formula (up to 3 months).
- Continuous stream of food.
- Easy-to apply granules.
- Budget-friendly.
Burpee is another top name in fertilizer and all things plants. They have plenty of products to help boost plants, including their Organics tomato and vegetable plant food.
This is a versatile product that comes in a 4-pound bag for the economy. It’s long-lasting and provides nutrients for up to 3 months. Use this product early in the planting stage and refresh later on. You don’t have to use it often, and it’s safe for edible plants.
It contains microbes that help the condition of the plants and increase production. You can also use this one for your potted plants and patio gardens.
What We Like
- Versatile.
- Large-volume.
- Less frequent application.
What We Don’t
- Less nitrogen.
If you want an all-around organic fertilizer that goes a long way, this might be the right choice for your needs.
Fox Farm Liquid Nutrients
- Fertilizer three-pack for different purposes.
- Liquid formula.
- Produces lush vegetables & compact growth.
- 6-4-4 Balanced formula.
- Potent and fast-acting.
- Will need mixed before use.
- Budget-friendly.
If you are an all-around grower or farmer, you might want to consider getting the Fox Farm Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula. This package includes Big Bloom, Grow Big, and Tiger Bloom. This product is a liquid fertilizer that is ideal for boosting the growth of peppers and other plants.
It can be used for both flowering and fruiting plants and is high in phosphorus. If you want a very potent and fast-acting fertilizer to boost growth and get noticeable results, this is it.
Keep in mind that this isn’t organic, and you might not be able to use this blend in certain areas, so be sure to check first. You get everything you need, including a chart and pipette for specific fertilization needs.
What We Like
- Fast-acting.
- Noticeable results.
- Liquid.
What We Don’t
- Specific feeding requirements.
If you need phosphorus-based fertilizers to get results, this might be the fertilizer for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all fertilizers good for vegetables?
No, some fertilizers are for flowering plants or trees. Make sure you get a fertilizer that is for use with vegetables if you grow peppers.
Are fertilizers okay to use throughout the growth cycles?
Some products are used in specific cycles, while others are versatile and can be used through the growth cycle. Check the indications for details before you buy.
Are some fertilizers illegal?
Some fertilizers containing phosphorus are illegal in certain areas. Check before you make a purchase.
Final Thoughts
Fertilizers are essential in some areas to ensure a bountiful pepper crop. Make sure you determine if you need an organic fertilizer or one with other ingredients to boost growth and production.
You’ll also want to consider economy and size requirements. If you have a large garden, you might need two orders of the product you choose. Be sure the fertilizer you choose is legal to use in your area and follow the indications for use.
