Why Your Peppers Aren’t Ripening [And How to Fix It!]
Few things are as frustrating as waiting for your peppers to turn from green to red, yellow, or orange—only to find them stubbornly refusing to ripen. You check them daily, wondering if you’re doing something wrong. You might even start doubting your gardening skills.
The good news? Your peppers aren’t defective. They’re just taking their time, and there are clear reasons why. Even better, there are proven ways to speed up the ripening process.
In this article, we will explore:
- How long peppers actually take to ripen
- The role of sunlight in ripening and whether too much or too little is an issue
- Why excess nitrogen in fertilizer might be slowing things down
- A simple trick that forces peppers to ripen faster
- A little-known hack using a paper bag that can accelerate the process
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly why your peppers aren’t changing color—and how to fix it.
Chapters
- Why Your Peppers Aren’t Ripening [Video Tutorial]
- Are Your Peppers Just Slow?
- How Long Does It Take for Peppers to Ripen?
- Sunlight – Too Much or Too Little?
- Are You Overfeeding Your Peppers?
- The ‘Harvest Some, Ripen More’ Trick
- The Paper Bag Hack – A Simple Trick for Faster Ripening
- Final Thoughts: How to Get Your Peppers to Ripen Faster
- Frequently Asked Questions About Ripening Peppers
Why Your Peppers Aren’t Ripening [Video Tutorial]
Are Your Peppers Just Slow?
Before assuming something is wrong with your plants, it’s important to understand how long peppers take to ripen. Many gardeners expect a rapid color change, but peppers often follow their own schedule.
How Long Does It Take for Peppers to Ripen?
Once a pepper reaches its full size, it can take anywhere from two to four weeks to change color. The exact timing depends on the variety:
- Bell peppers can take up to a month to fully ripen.
- Hot peppers like jalapeños and serranos typically begin ripening within 10 to 14 days.
- Certain varieties stay green permanently because they are bred that way, such as some green bell peppers.
How to Fix It
Check the seed packet or plant tag to confirm whether your variety is even supposed to change color. If your peppers are still within the normal ripening window, be patient and continue caring for them as usual.
What Not to Do
Do not assume your peppers will change color overnight. Ripening is a gradual process that varies by variety and growing conditions.
Sunlight – Too Much or Too Little?
Peppers thrive in warm, sunny conditions, but too much heat or too little sunlight can delay ripening.
When Heat Becomes a Problem
Peppers love warmth, but extreme temperatures can slow or even halt ripening. If daytime temperatures exceed 85°F (29°C), the plant prioritizes survival over fruit development. Instead of ripening, it focuses on retaining moisture and protecting itself from heat stress.
The Impact of Too Little Sun
Peppers need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, but eight or more hours is ideal. If your peppers are growing in partial shade, they may not receive enough energy to complete the ripening process.
How to Fix It
If temperatures are too high, provide afternoon shade using shade cloth or plant taller crops nearby for protection.
If your peppers are not getting enough sunlight, move them to a sunnier location or trim surrounding plants that might be blocking their light.
What Not to Do
Do not assume that unlimited sun exposure is beneficial. Excessive heat can actually stall the ripening process instead of helping it.
Are You Overfeeding Your Peppers?
If your pepper plants have lush green leaves but little to no ripe fruit, you may be using too much nitrogen in your fertilizer.
The Problem with Excess Nitrogen
Fertilizers contain three key nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The first number in a fertilizer label, such as 10-5-5, represents nitrogen.
Nitrogen is crucial for leafy growth, but too much of it causes the plant to prioritize foliage over fruit. As a result, you may end up with a beautiful plant full of leaves—but very few ripe peppers.
How to Fix It
- Switch to a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer, such as 5-10-10 or 3-5-7. Potassium promotes fruit development and ripening.
- Use organic options like bone meal, banana peel fertilizer, or wood ash to naturally increase potassium levels.
- Once your peppers have started forming, stop fertilizing. This signals to the plant that it’s time to shift energy toward ripening.
What Not to Do
Do not continue applying high-nitrogen fertilizers in hopes of getting bigger fruit. Too much nitrogen will only delay the ripening process further.
The ‘Harvest Some, Ripen More’ Trick
Believe it or not, leaving too many peppers on the plant can actually slow ripening.
Why Removing Some Peppers Speeds Up Ripening
Peppers produce ethylene, a natural plant hormone that regulates ripening. However, if a plant is overloaded with fruit, ethylene production can be slowed down, delaying ripening across all peppers.
By removing some of the green peppers, the plant senses a reduction in fruit load and responds by ripening the remaining peppers faster.
How to Fix It
Harvest a few green peppers every few days. This encourages the plant to focus on ripening the remaining ones. Use harvested green peppers in stir-fries, salads, or pickling recipes—they are just as delicious as ripe ones.
What Not to Do
Do not leave every pepper on the plant at once. An overcrowded plant will slow its ripening process significantly.
The Paper Bag Hack – A Simple Trick for Faster Ripening
If you’ve already picked your green peppers but want them to ripen more quickly, there’s a simple trick involving a brown paper bag that can help.
How It Works
Certain fruits, such as bananas and apples, release ethylene gas, a natural compound that triggers ripening. By placing peppers in a paper bag with one of these fruits, you create a mini ripening chamber that speeds up the process.
How to Fix It
- Place green peppers in a brown paper bag with a ripe banana or apple.
- Close the bag and store it in a warm location for a few days.
- Check the peppers daily. Once they begin to change color, they are ready to eat.
What Not to Do
Do not use a plastic bag instead of paper. Plastic traps moisture, which can lead to mold and rot rather than ripening.
Final Thoughts: How to Get Your Peppers to Ripen Faster
If your peppers aren’t ripening, don’t panic. There are clear reasons why—and easy solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Be patient. Some varieties take longer to ripen than others.
- Ensure your peppers are getting the right amount of sun—not too much, not too little.
- Avoid excess nitrogen in your fertilizer, as it promotes leafy growth over fruit ripening.
- Try the harvest some, ripen more trick to encourage faster ripening.
- Use the paper bag hack with a banana or apple to accelerate the ripening of picked peppers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ripening Peppers
Why are my peppers staying green for so long?
Some pepper varieties take up to four weeks to ripen after reaching full size. Others, like green bell peppers, are bred to stay green permanently.
Can I pick green peppers and let them ripen off the plant?
Yes! You can place them in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple to speed up ripening using ethylene gas.
Do peppers ripen faster on or off the plant?
Peppers ripen best on the plant, but if temperatures drop or frost threatens, you can use the paper bag trick indoors.
Why do my peppers have big leaves but no ripe fruit?
Too much nitrogen fertilizer encourages leaf growth instead of fruit ripening. Switch to a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer.
Will peppers still ripen if I harvest them early?
Yes, as long as they’ve reached full size, they can continue to ripen indoors.
How much sun do peppers need to ripen properly?
Peppers need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but 8–10 hours is even better for faster ripening.
Can heat stress stop peppers from ripening?
Yes! If temperatures exceed 85°F (29°C), peppers may stall ripening. Providing afternoon shade can help.
What’s the fastest way to ripen peppers?
Using the paper bag method with a banana or apple can speed things up significantly. On the plant, removing some green peppers can encourage the rest to ripen faster.
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