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    
                    T T

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in New Zealand - 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 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 20 inches 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.
  • Chilli harvest
  • Small, hot, chilli

Small bushy plants. Dark green ovate leaves.

Chilli need warm frost free weather, so protect with glass or plastic covers if planting outside in cooler areas.

Most varieties need a long growing period to produce many fruit.

There are many types of chilli. Some are more fiery than others. As a general rule, the smaller the pod the hotter the taste.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chilli peppers

Chillies freeze very well. Wash, dry, and free whole. Use them direct from the freezer (no need to defrost).
Wear plastic gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after handling and cutting to avoid accidentally rubbing chilli juice onto your mouth or eyes!

Your comments and tips

29 Feb 24, Mike (USA - Zone 5b climate)
What does T and S mean is that when I would want to move the indoor seedlings outdoors?
12 Mar 24, Liz (Gardenate) (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
S means sow (suitable time) and T means transfer seedlings to growing bed. You could harden them off a bit by putting them outside (in their little pots or trays) during the daytime and then moving them under cover at night. Do that for about a week, then going out into a garden bed will not be such a temperature shock for them.
21 Dec 23, Johannes Mojela (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hello I want to plant chillies for mike comission butI have 500.s/m can you please please advise me what time must I start to plant
02 Jan 24, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Check the planting guide for your climate zone.
15 Dec 23, Babe Sedile (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I want to start to grow chilies and I wanted to know the type that of soil that is perfect for it and the type of area that will be good for it see
21 Dec 23, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Just have good rich loose soil, Soil that has had some manures and compost added to it. Some general fertiliser.
19 Sep 23, Henry steenkamp (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Staying on the east coast of East London south Africa. Can I sow chillie seed now. And the soil composition please advice. Kind regards Jossie
28 Sep 23, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes plant now - just good fertile soil. Good crumbly soil.
11 Mar 23, Luis O. (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Will Habaneros or Ghost Peppers grow in Zone 9a?
21 Mar 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Check the planting guide.
Showing 1 - 10 of 427 comments

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.

- Anonymous

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 GardenGrow 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 GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | 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. GardenGrow 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.