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.

Your comments and tips

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18 Mar 14, Margie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have just planted my Chillies plant outside in my courtyard in East London Eastern Cape. It can get quite windy - will that harm the plants - should I rather put it in a pot
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02 Mar 14, willem (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I plant chillies now?
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12 Feb 14, Emile Marais (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi. I am looking for contact numbers for suppliers or buyers for chillies. I am from Namibia and need prices on wet and dried chillies in order to market my product.
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07 Jan 14, mapula (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I live in limpopo and interested in growing chilli pepper. I would like to know of consultants to help me with the market.
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19 Dec 13, Ayesha (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How do I know which is the hottest chillies that is available ib south Africa because I've grown to my disappointed the wrong chillies thanx
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09 Feb 14, mark (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
the 3 hottest chillis in the world are the bhut jolokia or ghost chilli, the trinidad moruga scorpion and the carolina reaper. carolina being the hottest. unfortunately not many of these seeds are available in south africa. but you can order them from overseas and it works out cheaper than if you were to buy from a south african supplier. i grow all three of them and i ordered mine from amazon.com for more information on some of the hottest chillis around feel free to email me. [email protected]
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10 Nov 13, Bill (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have just started growing Jalapeño chillies for own consumption and notice they start turning black before they are fully grown(fruit). Is this a problem or just the type of chilli.
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31 Oct 13, moussa (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow chilli seeds in November and how long does the shoot take to come out cheers
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29 Oct 13, Leti (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I've had a beautiful chili plant which has been doing great for the last 5 years at least. This year we harvested lots of chilies but now they leaves are sort of wilting, facing downwards, pale and although we still get lots of chilies they are very small in size. Can you please help? I live in the Hunter Region, NSW. Funny thing I have another chili plant which is only a metre away and it looks fine.
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15 Oct 13, gary (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I'm in Cape Town , and a first time chilli tree grower . The wind howls here in spring and I'm scared my potted chilli plant is going to be ripped by the wind . Should I rather keep it indoors ?
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Go on the internet and do some research about saving seeds. Some seeds need some curing first before putting in the fridge. I don't know whether it is/was a good idea to put in the freezer - other people here might know. Example - tomatoes need to be fermented in water to take the gel case off the seed before drying and then put in a bag and then into an air tight jar and put in the fridge. When taking that jar out off the fridge let it sit for 20-30 mins before opening it. If opened straight away condensation can happen and maybe ruin the seeds. You can only try - plant a couple of seeds to see if they germinate and then grow in a place protected from the wind a bit. Do some research to try and find a company/??? who can advise about your situation. Google something like - seed saving companies or seed saving bank. Good luck

- Mike

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