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 T          

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in Australia - 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

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18 May 16, David (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am in Harare Zimbabwe and wonder if there are any local suppliers of Hot Chilli seeds?
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02 Jul 16, Nestor (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
contact me for more details on hot chiilli seeds supplier in South Africa. Thanks
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28 Jul 16, David (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Nestor, Can you assist me with contacts for Hot chilli seeds? Seeds for Africa do ship to Zimbabwe but are there others?
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16 Mar 16, Natalie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I recently bought chilly seeds from seeds from seeds of Africa in Cape Town, i am so impressed, my carolina ghost reaper is finally bearing flowers...cannot wait :)
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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
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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.
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14 Mar 16, Hantie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I still plant chillies in March?
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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!
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02 Feb 16, Johan Fullard (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Does chilli plants grow better in Summer or winter and is it ok to plant in both seasons? thanx..
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28 Jan 16, Tienie Muller (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm staying Jozini KZN have 3hec wanna start with hot chillies need advice and info any no I can call for that pls
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Showing 51 - 60 of 90 comments
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Hi. I have my own chilli breeding program going on, and am planning to use a combination of Thai chilli, birdseye chilli, Chilli Diablo, some stock chilli (generic, little spice, huge fruit, and Habanero. All these plants are growing in a full-sun position in neutral soil with some compost and old manure mixed in, making it slightly more acidic, but they seem to love it. I have noticed growth of up to an inch a week if Worm Castings and seasol are mixed with some water and sprayed onto the leaves of the stock chilli and diablo. As the leaves of these two are very large, foliar feeding goes down a treat. The birdseye and thai chillies have smaller leaves, so I just add it into the irrigation water, with equal results. The habanero I have left alone, as a bit of an experiment to see how maintenance-free this part of the veg garden is. All the plants (apart from the diablo) were started from seed in the middle of winter, indoors, and the Thai chilli and Birdseye chillies have been topped as half the crop from them will go into our special family chilli sauce. All plants have abundant flowers, some of which are ready to open, and average about 60cm tall. I hope this helps and inspires some peopleto get into chillies.

- Mick

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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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