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 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 New Zealand | for all countries
25 Jun 14, ben (Australia - tropical climate)
Im in darwin and I have a chilli seedling, it did have quite a few leaves on it and the roots were coming out of the bottom of the pot so I transplanted and now its just a chilli stick about 14cm tall. Is it dead? It lives outside on the balcony gets morning sun and water once a day. Any tips would be appreciated.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Nov 14, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
bigger pot,with good mix , liquid fertilizer fortnightly. Or stick it in the ground. Ref my comment from earlier this month
Reply or Post a new comment
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 ?
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Jun 14, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Chili plants don't need lots of water, sounds as if you might be overwatering.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 May 14, Amanda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I recently bought cucamelon seeds. I'm just wondering where and when it would be best to sow these seeds.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 May 14, wal (Australia - arid climate)
My chillies pods are being invaded by white grubs therefore causing chillies to rot.What can I do to prevent this?
Reply or Post a new comment
04 May 14, Avajatar (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you start growing in May, and let it grow from then on?
Reply or Post a new comment
11 May 14, Travis Edwards (Australia - temperate climate)
no not in the southern states anyway if they get frosted they will die. best to start your seeds indoors in august and wean them outside after the last frosts.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Oct 14, frans (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I m in upington and most of my chilli plants came up. Not giving it to much water.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 261 - 270 of 434 comments
See comments for all plants

I don't mean to be rude, but would like to clarify a few things that have been said here, and give a bit of information. The Bhut Jolokia is supposed to be ~1.5 million Scoville units in heat and is realistically about 1 million, compared to a Habanero, which is usually ~300,000 Scoville units. The habanero is too hot for most, and the Bhut Jolokia is only for the diehard Chilliheads. Scotch Bonnets, Habaneros, and Bhut Jolokias are all Capsicum Chinense, whereas the standard chillies (pointy-ended ones) are Capsicum Annuum, and are usually alot more mild. Sweet Bell Peppers (Capsicums) are C. Annuum, and can cross-pollinate with other Chillies. Kate - Chillies are usually fairly slow-growing plants compared to things like Tomatoes etc. Right now, it may be too cold for them to be in full swing. The flowers are self-fertile, so will pollinate themselves, but you need to help them along by sticking pollen to the Pistil using a cotton bud or similar. Swirling your finger around gently inside the flower works too. When the fruit is pollinated, the flower will go brown, and drop off, and the fruit should start growing. Flowers browning and dropping could also be due to a poor feeding regime. On most (all?) fertiliser bottles you will see a NPK number set. N=Nitrogen, P=Potassium, K=Phosphorus. General vegetative growth (leaves/stems) is encouraged by high-N analysis fertilisers, and flowering is encouraged by high P/K analysis fertilisers. At this time of year, I have my chillies inside on shelves in front of a large west-facing window. Usually, I find that if the overnight low temperature drops below about 5 degrees C then they will stop growing/flowering. I would try and be patient with your Capsicums and Chillies. As they are already established, you should get a good head start this season. Good luck!

- Buzz Killington

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.