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

25 Feb 19, steve (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi. I have some original old very very hot chilli's that i saved from my Mothers plant which was originally her mothers plant.. They have been in the freezer since 1995. The seeds have an emotional attachment and i would love to be to grow these seeds into plants and hand onto the next generation - if it is possible. Having been in the freezer as a full pod - Would the seeds inside the pod be ok ? Would the plant cope outdoors with constant breeze? Any or all Advice would be much appreciated. Thank you
28 Feb 19, Alice (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Steve Seeds from your frozen whole fruit will not be viable. Seeds stored in freezer after drying at least 80% will keep viable in freezer but not fresh. Sorry
03 Mar 19, mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I would still try and grow some just in case.
27 Feb 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Go on the internet and do some research about saving seeds. Some seeds need some curing first before putting in the fridge. I don't know whether it is/was a good idea to put in the freezer - other people here might know. Example - tomatoes need to be fermented in water to take the gel case off the seed before drying and then put in a bag and then into an air tight jar and put in the fridge. When taking that jar out off the fridge let it sit for 20-30 mins before opening it. If opened straight away condensation can happen and maybe ruin the seeds. You can only try - plant a couple of seeds to see if they germinate and then grow in a place protected from the wind a bit. Do some research to try and find a company/??? who can advise about your situation. Google something like - seed saving companies or seed saving bank. Good luck
18 Feb 19, Geoff Baker (Australia - temperate climate)
Do chilli plants need plenty of water? My bushes look healthy but the leaves and flowers keep falling off. Thanks
19 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depends on the soil type. Small plants need small waterings regularly - each day in summer especially. Larger plants need a bigger watering less often - each 2-3 days. Pushing your finger in the soil will tell you if the soil is dry or wet.
19 Feb 19, Carmen J. (Australia - temperate climate)
Your peppers and chillies will do better with some shade cloth on top, not more than 50% shade, they are stress with the heat and they start to drop leaves and flowers.
27 Jan 19, Peter Krochmal (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
try PEPPER JOE'S in the USA, specialised in super hot chilies. Mails seeds to Australia, with a good germination rate.
24 Jan 19, Scott (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have chilli plants and capsicum plants all around the house. (As well as tomatoes, basil ,herbs etc) All of the shoots and new flowers on 95% of the plants are eaten to the stem. There is no sign of any pests?
23 Dec 18, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you need to take off laterals? Or just let them grow up as they wish??
Showing 91 - 100 of 432 comments

I'm actually in Thailand but your site doesn't list that. Having a hard time growing chilies here and looking for any hints. Soil has plenty of nutrients but does not dry out due to the rains and clay underlayer. At this point I'm thinking of adding sand to the soil to aid in drainage. I've dug a hole in the garden down to the clay layer and filled it with water. It drained within 5 minutes so it's really about my topsoil quality. Thanks!

- Eric Nelson

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