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

15 Mar 16, Hishaam Salie (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Good day I've recently gotten my green fingers and have created a beautiful garden with my wife ,its smells of herbs in the day and jasmine in the evening with a colorful variety of trees and plants,sadly to say we've been trying for a while now to germinate a chili tree from its pips of the fruit.My question which would be the correct method to follow and how do we maintain its up keep and which method of planting is the correct method in a pot at first or directly into the soil
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Growing peppers is easy. I like to sow seed in seed trays, but it really doesn't matter. Just ensure that if you plant them in situ (directly into the ground) that you offer them protection from nocturnal critters as well as birds. Cover seed to a depth of three times their size. Peppers, in particular, do not like to germinate in wet soil. Moist soil only. Peppers take approximately 7-8 days to germinate.
14 Mar 16, Hantie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I still plant chillies in March?
29 Mar 16, Sanet (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Hantie, yes, you can if you keep the seedlings inside the house or somewhere warm. Chillies don't like cold weather. And it may take longer for the seeds to germinate during colder seasons - if at all. I've planted chillies right through the year, keeping them in our scullery with layers of newspaper underneath the seedling trays to keep them warm, and they germinated beautifully. Good luck!
14 Mar 16, Cal (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, keen to start growing some naga or similar - I'm based in Sydney and am aware that summer is ending as I write this, will this delay the germination/growth/harvest or are they quite resilient to seasons? I intend on using a heat map in my apartment to begin with, before potting and moving outside onto a balcony. Let me know if this sounds like it'll work - all advice appreciated!
05 Mar 16, yvonne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have planted jalapeno chillies but the fruit has no heat just like a green capsicum! what can iI do to make the fruit hot Or is it best to just start again with new plants?
12 Apr 16, Cassie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Mine too. It's usually because of too much water as chillies dont like to be coddled. Nothing you can do for the ones already on the plant.
21 Feb 16, Cheryl (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My chillies are rotting on the bush before they ripen. Looks like something is stinging them and then there is small grubs inside. I am not going to have a crop at all! Is there something I canspray with?
14 Jun 16, Jason (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Might be fruit fly, a friend mentioned he had fruit fly in his chillies, perhaps it happens if the chillies are not very hot. I have fruit fly in my grapefruit every year, but so far they haven't affected the cayenne chillies which are only 5 or 6 metres away.
06 Mar 16, Lyndy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I haven't a glue what grub you got but you could try spraying the bush with a garlic spray seems to keep most insects,and bugs away. ibuy the powdered garlic for supermarket mix a tsp in a spare bottle and go for it. Good luck.
Showing 191 - 200 of 430 comments

Hi Matt (27th April 09). I have the same chillies growing as you do. Mine are called Firecrackers. I think they are the Firecracker Piquin from Capsicum Annuum family which i believe means you should keep some seeds if you want to grow them again. It may or may not survive til next year. A nice chilli though. We have been thoroughly enjoying the Black Pearl, Scotch Bonnet and White Habanero this season. Still got a few to ripen. Lucky the days in Perth are still sunny. The Jamaican Gold produced some beautiful looking fruit this year too and quite delicious!

- Mark

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