Growing Chilli peppers, also Hot peppers

Capsicum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T T            
        P P            

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 9-11 weeks. Wear gloves to pick 'hot' chillies.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in a separate bed as chillies need plenty of light and air circulation.

Your comments and tips

10 Oct 14, Dudley Randa;; (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi. My chilli plants growing shoots are all withering and curling up. Can someone help me with a treatment. Spider mite spray doesn't seem to help
13 Sep 14, sheree (Australia - tropical climate)
We have a chilli plant and the chilli has not grown. They are red but only about a centermetre long and starting to shrivel up. What are we doing wrong?
16 Nov 14, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
could be shutting down because of the cold. Plant more now they will grow well as the temp increases. Mine are flowering now and the fruit will be growing by xmas. Ref my post from the 8th nov. They are a summer fruit
08 Sep 14, Mahesh (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted chilli seeds they were transplanted in pots but they don't seem to grow fast but remains the same. Can you please help me out. You may email me the answer wu.ith the solution.
09 Sep 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
I found capsicum/chilli plants to be very cold sensitive. As soon as my seedlings were exposed to cold (<15 C) temperature they stopped growing for a week at a time. I found it better to keep them indoors under lights until at least mid-spring when the day and night temperatures remained warmer.
15 Aug 14, Hank (Australia - temperate climate)
I have saved some seeds from jalepono chilli's. Do I need to let them dry before planting in egg container trays or should I dry them in an oven as I have been advised to. Another source says to plant in garden after 6 - 8 weeks, but I guess that when they are seedlings it would be time to transplant them? Temperate zone near Melbourne, Victoria.
25 Aug 14, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Hank. I place my Habanero seeds in seedling containers early August UNDER COVER. Through the years, I have found they will come up when they are ready. I also found that the egg containers will rot away. -Sam
15 Nov 14, Hank (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you Sam, I planted seeds in egg containers in late August but have yet to see them germinate into plants. When or if they do, should I simply plant them in the garden in the egg containers as I am aware they will rot away?
13 Aug 14, David (Australia - temperate climate)
what is the companion of chilli?
19 Nov 14, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
everything apart from ice-cream
Showing 241 - 250 of 429 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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