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

20 Dec 15, Peter (Australia - arid climate)
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
04 Nov 15, braydon (Australia - temperate climate)
can i please havesome gardening tips
27 Oct 15, Annie lane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, interested to know is the any other colour habanero, I have yellow and red thanks
18 Jan 16, tastyvish (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes, there is white variety having fruits like jelly bin ..bit temperamental but once established you could boast about having rare variety. i grow in my garden...
16 Nov 15, Matt (Australia - tropical climate)
We have some chocolate habanero growing if your near cairns Come grab Some
16 Dec 15, Daniel (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Matt, I have moved to Cairns recently and am very interested in growing Habaneros and other chillies. Could I grab some seeds from you? Would love to get some general advice on varieties and local conditions too. Cheers
21 Nov 17, William R (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Daniel We have a lot of red habonero seeds from two bushes. You are welcome to some.
16 Sep 15, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
Check the if stems are too deep in the soil, the roots should start just under the soil surface (1-2mm). If they are suffering from stem rot, the water and food cannot move up and down between the leaves and roots and the plant will dry out. If they have stem rot it may be difficult to save them.
18 Aug 15, JN (Australia - temperate climate)
My hot chilli plant is suddenly drying up. I've been watering it twice a week and feeding it Seasol liquid fertilizer. It was doing great till about two weeks ago. I even bring it in at night to keep it away from the cold and during the day it sits under a skylight. What can I do to keep it alive?
18 Jan 16, tastyvish (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Chill does not like over watering.If the leaves are showing"yellowing' this is definite sign of water excess . Cut down the water and give good drink only ,when the leaves show bit sign of drooping. Dont worry the plant will recover well.
Showing 101 - 110 of 271 comments

I have that wrong with the melons etc. In tropics plant mid-late Autumn. In the sub tropics plant spring but you need to germinate the seeds in late winter- a problem with soil temps then as they are a little low. Germinate indoors in a warm area.

- anon

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