I put 3 or 4 plants in 5 gallon containers. I have always had very good yields with peppers that were crowded. They offer some protection to each other from the sun and wind.
I do not plant the same variety together. I try to stagger them for size. For example I plant a small bushy type like Franks or Trinidad Seasoning with a tall leggy Thai or Italian type and place a few medium size around those. Each plant has his own zone and the containers are really attractive too.
Looks aside, peppers seem to like crowding. One year my Anaheims got taken over by some Mortgage Lifter tomatoes. The plant that was completely covered by the tomatoes produced 3 times what the other peppers of the same variety produced. It could have been the shade factor, as that was a very hot year, but I have been planting them closer ever since and only seen better yields.
Jeanne
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