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

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19 Sep 23, Henry steenkamp (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Staying on the east coast of East London south Africa. Can I sow chillie seed now. And the soil composition please advice. Kind regards Jossie
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28 Sep 23, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes plant now - just good fertile soil. Good crumbly soil.
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11 Mar 23, Luis O. (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Will Habaneros or Ghost Peppers grow in Zone 9a?
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21 Mar 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Check the planting guide.
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14 Dec 22, (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi there, can I plant my fresh chilli seeds, which has dried out in the fridge, directly in soil? Thanks in advance
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22 Dec 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes
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10 Sep 22, Pst Dennis (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good Day. I have transplanted my chilli and pepper plants to the ground. Please advise what fertilizer can I use and at what stage must the plants be fertlizer Thank you
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14 Sep 22, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If you prepared your soil well before you transplanted then you wouldn't need more fertiliser. Put manures/compost in your soil 1-2 mths before planting and dig it in well a couple of times. Put a little fertiliser in when you plant. Make a little furrow where you are going to plant them, sprinkle some fertiliser in the furrow and mix it into the soil - then plant your crop. Just buy a general garden fertiliser - one for vegetables. If your plants grow to one foot and they are yellowish then they need some fertiliser - if they are nice dark green colour then your soil is good.
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14 Mar 22, TLANGELANI MAGAMANA (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
when is the right time to plant habanero in Tzaneen area
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10 Feb 22, Thomas Perry (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Can I bottom water superhot peppers, (reapers, ghosts, scorpions) through grow bags? Will doing this cause my 7 gallon grow bags to rot out? Will the water even reach my plants in a container this size? Thank you for your help!
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Showing 11 - 20 of 432 comments
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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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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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