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Spicy exchange / 2023

Should you "top" your pepper plants? 2023 best practices

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What is "topping"?

Topping a pepper plant simply means snipping off the top of the plant when it is still young. This stimulates the growth of side shoots instead of allowing the plant to grow taller and taller.

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Anecdotally, a lot of people say that topping their plants increased their yield. However, research hasn't quite caught up. Check out the full article to see the research review. 

Does topping increase the yield?

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Free pepper growing guide

Not sure where to start? I've put together a 34-page guide to help you grow an abundant harvest.

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While topping may not always increase yield, it has other benefits. Topping forces your pepper plants to create more offshoots, forming a shorter plant that can better withstand wind.

Pros of topping your peppers

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Cons of topping peppers

If you prune too much and remove too many leaves, it can limit the plant’s ability to perform photosynthesis and stunt the growth of the plant. Topping also delays fruit production by a couple of weeks.

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Smaller pepper varieties, like tabasco, serrano, jalapeños, and biquinho, tend to do better when topped. If you notice that any of your pepper seedlings are particularly “leggy,” you may also want to top them.

What kinds of pepper plants should you top?

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Pepper plants NOT to top:

Some types of pepper plants are naturally compact, like habaneros, so there is less benefit to topping. Large peppers, like bell peppers, do not do as well when topped, and it can negatively impact yield.

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Gather your tools. Use sharp gardening shears and clean them thoroughly. Make the cut: avoid pulling or tearing the stem with your hands when making the cut. When making the cut, leave a little bit of nub on the stem. Do not cut directly on the node.

How to top pepper plants

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Am I topping my chili peppers?

I’m growing over a dozen types of hot and sweet peppers this year, and I’ve decided to top some of them to see if I notice a difference in growth and fruiting.

Get the free guide to growing chili peppers

The "green thumb" is a myth — with the right information, anyone can successfully grow peppers. Enjoy this free 34-page guide to help you grow an abundant harvest.

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