Should you put tomato cages around pepper plants?

Author: Dr. Alec Braun  |  Last update: Monday, January 5, 2026

Pepper varieties that produce large-fruited bells or big elongated peppers tend to be branching plants that grow well in tomato cages. While short two- and three-ring cages are too small for all but the most dwarf tomatoes, they are ideal for peppers.

Do pepper plants need tomato cages?

With peppers, staking or caging is optional. A lot of people do not stake or cage their peppers and the plants do perfectly well. It is probably a matter of personal preference more than anything else, unless you live in a high-wind area and/or your garden site is pretty exposed to the elements.

Is it better to stake or cage pepper plants?

Staking peppers is important to prevent wind damage. As the pepper plants grow taller, they become more susceptible to strong winds. Broken branches and even knocked over plants are possible if you don't provide a sturdy stake. Also, attaching the plant to the stake at multiple points is important to ensure that e.

Do pepper plants need a support?

It's often a good idea to stake pepper plants. Although many peppers are strong plants that do a good job at holding themselves upright, sometimes they need a little help — especially toward the end of the season.

Can you plant peppers close to tomatoes?

  • Yes, you can plant tomatoes and peppers next to each other in the garden. In fact, they are often compatible companion plants.
  • However, keep in mind that both tomatoes and peppers can be susceptible to similar pests and diseases, so it's essential to monitor them regularly for any signs of problems.

Staking vs. Caging Tomato Plants - PROS and CONS of Each Method | How to Support Tomato Plants

What should not be planted near tomatoes?

11 Worst Plants to Plant with Tomatoes
  • Corn. While corn and tomatoes might seem like a great summer pairing, they're not the best companions in the garden. ...
  • Eggplant. Eggplants and tomatoes belong to the same plant family, Solanaceae, which makes them prone to similar issues. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Potatoes. ...
  • Cucumbers. ...
  • Peas. ...
  • Fennel. ...
  • Dill.

What is the best companion plant for peppers?

In a raised bed, various herbs such as basil, parsley or dill are good companions for peppers. Lettuce, carrots and onions also make good neighbours for peppers in a raised bed.

How do I make my pepper plants happy?

Pepper plants need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Mix compost or other organic matter into the soil when planting. Water immediately after planting, then regularly throughout the season. Aim for a total of 1-2 inches per week (more when it's hotter).

What do peppers not like to be planted by?

Brassicas: Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are not good companion plants for peppers as they require similar nutrients from the soil, which can lead to competition and reduced yield.

Do pepper plants like to be crowded?

At their mature size, the leaves of the pepper plant should be just touching the leaves of its neighbor plants on either side. Anything closer and they're too crowded, anything farther apart means you could have fit more plants in that space.

How do I get more yield from my pepper plants?

Don't overwater peppers, let the soil dry out between waterings, and make sure their soil is well-draining. Grow them in full sun - is they are in shade they won't produce as many peppers. That said, peppers don't mind some dappled shade for part of the day. Opt for about 6-8 hours of full sun.

What size cage for pepper plants?

I use the taller 54" ones for large fruited, taller varieties like Bells and Anaheims. The smaller 42" for shorter varieties like Jalapenos and serranos. Just insert into soil at transplant and forget! An occasional straggling branch needs to be tucked inside now and then.

What happens if you don't cage tomatoes?

No matter where you garden, if you don't stake or cage your tomato plants, you'll end up with tomatoes on the ground, where they may rot or be eaten by small animals. Plus, an unsupported tomato plant that's allowed to sprawl can take up lots of space in a garden.

Do peppers need as much sun as tomatoes?

When you get the plants home, put the tomato and pepper plants in a spot that gets six to eight hours of sunlight each day, and make sure to water them regularly. Even better, set up drip irrigation.

Is tomato feed good for pepper plants?

Tomato fertiliser with a high potassium content is completely sufficient for pepper plants. A natural, slow-release fertiliser offers many advantages: Microorganisms in the soil break down the granules slowly, providing the chilli plant with nutrients over a longer period of time.

Can you plant peppers and tomatoes next to each other?

Yes, you can plant tomatoes and peppers next to each other in the garden. In fact, they are often compatible companion plants. They have similar growing requirements and can benefit from each other's presence.

What is the best support for pepper plants?

Don't gamble on the security of your crop – the safest strategy is to support your pepper plants with stakes or cages. Staking is a standard procedure with commercially-grown peppers, because staking increases yields of high quality fruits.

Do pepper plants like coffee grounds?

Some plants that benefit from coffee grounds include: acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries, and rhododendrons. plants that need nitrogen, such as tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens.

Should you water pepper plants everyday?

Peppers require consistently moist soil for optimal growth. The soil should be kept damp but not waterlogged to prevent root rot and other issues. A general rule of thumb is to water deeply once or twice a week, though this can vary based on weather conditions and soil type.

Is Miracle-Gro good for pepper plants?

Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules will feed your pepper plants for up to 6 weeks, providing loads of extra nutrients to the beneficial microbes in the soil as well as to the plants. A month after planting, mix this into the soil around your pepper plants, following label directions.

Do pepper plants like to touch each other?

Pepper plants tend to do best when grown in close proximity to each other, but not quite touching.

Should you plant peppers close together?

Choose a location in your garden where you have not grown tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplants and tomatillos for the past three or four years. Space pepper plants 18 inches apart, in rows 30 to 36 inches apart.

What is the best companion plant for tomatoes?

Top 10 Companion Plants for Tomatoes
  • Marigolds. The bright colors and strong scent of marigolds make them an excellent deterrent against insects like tomato hornworms and aphids. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Onions. ...
  • Lavender. ...
  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum) ...
  • Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Celery.

Do marigolds help pepper plants?

A: Yes! Marigolds are incredibly easy to grow and make great pepper companions! A great pest deterrent based on their strong fragrance, as well as their ability to repel nematodes through their roots, marigolds are a long-standing pest deterrent in the vegetable garden.

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