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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
04 Nov 15, Egbert (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is it safe to plant chilli seedlings when the surface is dry or must I wait for the rain to fall first,because I'm in Limpopo and it hasn't rained in ages and I would like to start planting my chilli seedlings.so am a bit panicking because of the dry season but I have a borehole.please advise me on what to do.
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17 Jul 15, Kabo Maswabi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can i get safe, treated chillies seeds which will be able to thrive in the hot arid conditions
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10 Aug 15, Pam (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Try the online shops: Organic Seeds and Living Seeds
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10 Oct 14, Dudley Randa;; (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi. My chilli plants growing shoots are all withering and curling up. Can someone help me with a treatment. Spider mite spray doesn't seem to help
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06 Jul 14, Dries (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What is the general life span of a chilli plant?
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20 Aug 14, Danie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Some of my inchanga chilli plants are now in their third year and still going strong. My red savina habaneros are now going into their second year and also very strong
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27 Jun 14, greg (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What soil is best for chilli seeds.
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31 May 14, Kate (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I Have a beautiful rainbow chilli in a large pot in full sun. It's turning yellow and wilting. Am I over or under watering it ?
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01 Jun 14, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Chili plants don't need lots of water, sounds as if you might be overwatering.
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01 Apr 14, Alex (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi I am based in the Karroo and would like to know what advise you could give me in regards to soil tipes ?? What is a better tipe of soil to plant in and as the Karroo is extremely hot would I be able to plant chillis outside or would they be more suited to a green house or tunnels. Any help would be apreciated... Thank you
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Showing 61 - 70 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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