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

02 Jan 16, tastyvish (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Over watering is no good for chlli plant.The thumb rule of watering need of the plant is when the leaves little bit droops. I would suggest cut down the watering and check the drainage is good.If the leaves are yellowing in nature i presume the over watering could be the reason. Don't worry about even sea soling..Godd luck
21 Aug 15, Geoff True (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi JN Currently growing 8 plants from seedlings and treat mine like you do. Mine are in 6 inch pots and I only spray water (not water can) about every 3rd day and fertilise only about every two to three weeks with fish emulsion. Soil needs to be damp not wet and I'll transplant best 3 next month.
04 Jul 15, Mahesh Bhai (Australia - temperate climate)
It is the month of july and cold so can we plant chillie plants from the seeds after germination. It us winter in Sydney Australia.
17 Jul 15, Prometheus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I would say this really depends on how much frost, if any, you expect before Spring sets in. Generally it's safest to wait until Spring (when soil temperatures are consistently 18 degrees + ), especially with the cold winter we've had across Eastern Australia this year. But Sydney is still classed as a subtropical climate, so provided you have a sheltered area with some kind of wind / frost protection (i.e. not far from a fence) I'd say go for it. If they're starting to look damaged you can always place a plastic bag or mini-greenhouse over the seedlings until the weather warms. Happy gardening and hope you get some prolific chilli plants this year!
21 Jan 15, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I love growing chillies, particularly habaneros and piquins. I have some plants which I bought from a nursery and stand at heights ranging from 50cm-110cm tall, and others which I have grown from seed. It is currently mid summer in Sydney, Australia, and I was wondering if I need to move my chillies when it becomes colder. Do I have to prune the plants, and when do I have to prune them?-Daniel
20 Dec 14, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
I have bought birds eye saplings and potted them in September. It is now end of December but there have only been a few additional leaves and seems to be stunted in height due to the cold weather in Melbourne. What can I do to help them as the temperature does not seem to get any higher than 25C? Melbourne will have the next 2 months warm, but will drop down below 25C once again in March, and I am afraid my saplings may not have a chance to thrive.
17 Nov 14, Pieta (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Some great reading, thanks. I am in Brisbane, Australia and have over 300 chillies, approx. 50+ varieties. I germinate from seeds either purchased or swapped with other chilli heads. I really find germinating in a heated propagander the most successful way for me. Once they shoot, I introduce heat lamps, when the 2nd/3rd set of leaves appear I move them to my greenhouse. Give them a feed every couple of weeks with seasonal and powerfeed and happy, healthy chillies start to grow
08 Nov 14, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
I have several varieties of chillies, they reseed every year.I then rotate to another bed or large pot to which I add compost and old manure, mix well.I then transplant the reseeded plants to the new bed or pot. After that it's water and liquid fertilizer. I'm never short of chillies, I dry them and jalapeno I pickle in vinegar (make your own concoction, add herbs,garlic whatever) They are delicious. So the idea is let some of your chillies fall to the ground and they will germinate when ready. Also if you make a little hot house over your plants they will keep going. I've had them up to three seasons. Enjoy
23 Oct 14, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have got white sticky stuff on the leaves of my chilli plant and the chives next to them have also now. I am away on our boat and don't know what to treat it with, I have vinegar on board? Or do I just try to wash it off with mild detergent? Appreciate your advice,
13 Sep 14, sheree (Australia - tropical climate)
We have a chilli plant and the chilli has not grown. They are red but only about a centermetre long and starting to shrivel up. What are we doing wrong?
Showing 111 - 120 of 271 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Chilli peppers

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.