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 S           S S S S S
T T T             T T T

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 50 cm 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

28 Jul 13, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi James, Check under the entry for chillies - set your zone to Temperate Australia
15 Jul 13, Jenny Loo (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi all: when is the best time to craft a chilli plant? Thank you vrry much
20 Jun 13, Kerry Hart (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We would like to know how to keep/store our excess chilli's if you can assist us Regards Kerry
07 Jul 13, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
Chillis freeze really well and I use them direct from frozen - just chop and cook!
07 Jun 13, Jade Webb (Australia - temperate climate)
I heard that horse manure kills chilli plants. Is it true?
20 May 13, Ollie (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought some chilli plants two months ago and the leaves are turning yellow, chillies growing on the tree, it's coming to the end of may. I taught it may be the weather but when I went to Bunnings there trees were green, any ideas before I lose them?
24 May 13, Jas (Australia - temperate climate)
Try A mixture of 2 teaspoons of epsom salts to 500ml of water it works a treat
17 May 13, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I bought 3 small chilli plants recently, unfortunately 2 died, & I am trying to keep the 3rd surviving plant alive, but it is wilting. I have it in a small pot on a north facing verandah, but I was wondering if it may be too cold for it - it is now May, and I live on the south-west coast of Victoria & prone to frosts. I was wondering what I can do to keep the plant alive. I have noticed a couple of small white flowers on the plant, but the plant itself is very small & wilting -?too much water. I am a beginner gardener, & would be really encouraged if I could manage to keep this plant alive & able to produce chili's which I love. thanking you, Helen
30 Mar 13, Rae (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Perth WA and have a jalepeno chilli plant which has been producing abundantly for the past few months. According to people who like chillis' (not me!) they are 'particularly flavoursome'. Over the past few weeks we have noticed small holes appearing in some of the chillis' and inside the pod there appears to be a fungus. Would you be able to suggest a way of treating this problem, please?
28 Apr 13, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
I have had the same prob (and i love to eat my chillis) i find if i leave them to begin to turn red they get attacked by a mite that bores a hole and it does look like fungus but if u leave long enough small worm like creatures grow .. I believe the " fungus " is actually eggs .... I pick mine while still green and they have been clean inside and fine to eat .. Hope this helps ..dawn. ( perth wa)
Showing 141 - 150 of 271 comments

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