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  
                  T T  

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in Australia - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings

September: After risk of frosts

  • 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

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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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14 May 21, Trevor (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I transplant a chilli plant after a few months of growth? Approx 6 inches high. It is in a crowded box
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04 Dec 20, Isaiah ramaphala (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I plant chisa Chillies at Brits on the 15 th of December
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08 Dec 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Check the planting guide here. Seedling maybe - seeds probably not.
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08 Nov 20, Claire (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I live in East London. Can i plant chilies ini pots as in flower pots or do you advise directly in the garden?
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09 Nov 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You can grow in a pot, make sure it is a big pot. If chilli is going to grow 50cm make the pot that wide also.
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01 Aug 20, Constance (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I stay in Botswana.When can I start to plant chillies?
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03 Aug 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Look at the monthly calendar at the top of the page, set your climate zone, it tells you the best months to start planting - NOV.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 90 comments
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Snails love small chilli plants so when you plant put some snail pallets around. Chilli doesn't grow well in small cup size plastic pots so don't use them or if you buy a chilli plant in one transplant to a large ceramic pot immediately. Grow from seed in a sandy garden bed seems to work very well to germinate, when the plants are as tall as your finger transplant them into a largish ceramic pot 2 litre minimum and don't be scared of leaving them in a large pot as they grow well in pots. Use a reasonable quality potting mix and water every day, mornings best, Full sun is best so find a spot where the chilli gets the maximum sun possible. The potting mix will have enough fertiliser for the next growth stage so don't add any fertiliser for the next month. Then add blood and bone and watch them grow quickly and start to flower. I've had really good results with blood and bone so have not needed to try alternative fertilisers like manure. The beauty of blood and bone is it is almost impossible to burn or kill your plants. Finally add potash fertiliser a month after the blood and bone to ensure the chilli bush has plenty of fruit. The chilli's ive grown in big pots grow jjust as good as the ones in the garden beds if not better. L put that down to the warm soil and potting mix. I live in Perth too so I hope you have luck with your chilli's

- Peter

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