How Much Light Does Pepper Need? PPFD & DLI
Thrives in steady warmth and well-draining soil; moderate during flowering.
- Peak PPFD: 350–900 µmol/m²/s
- Peak DLI: 20–52 mol/m²/d
- Air temperature: 24–29 °C
- Relative humidity: 50–65 %
- VPD target: 0.8–1.2 kPa
- Do not leave the substrate dry for more than 4 days
Targets per growth stage
| Stage | From day | PPFD | DLI | Photoperiod | pH | EC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedling | 0 | 265–345 µmol/m²/s | 15–20 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.8–6.3 | 0.8–1.2 |
| Vegetative | 21 | 400–600 µmol/m²/s | 23–35 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.8–6.3 | 1.5–2 |
| Flowering/fruiting | 60 | 350–900 µmol/m²/s | 20–52 mol/m²/d | 16 h | 5.8–6.5 | 2–2.5 |
Watering
Let the top layer dry out between waterings.
Sources
- Wuetcher, L.T. & Owen, W.G. (2025). Managing DLI to Improve Vegetable Transplant Quality. e-GRO Alert 10(1), The Ohio State University — Supports: seedling light
- Torres, A.P. & Lopez, R.G. Measuring Daily Light Integral in a Greenhouse. Purdue Extension HO-238-W (table after J.E. Faust, Ball Red Book) — Supports: light in production
Values not covered by a source above are common growing practice, not taken from a primary source.