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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08 Oct 13, dr andrewartha (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
How would i go about growing peppers inside in the cool mountains range
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03 Nov 13, Matthew (Australia - tropical climate)
I would recommend that you start by planting the chilli seeds in a propagator (costs about 10 dollars at Bunnings), and placing it on top of the fridge with the lid on. This will allow the seeds to germinate. Once the chilli seedlings grow their first "true" leaves, place them (while still in the propagator tray) in a sunny spot for a couple hours per day.
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28 Jul 13, James (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Melbourne, Wat is the time te of year to start seedlings and how much water do they need ? Thanks
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28 Jul 13, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi James, Check under the entry for chillies - set your zone to Temperate Australia
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15 Jul 13, Jenny Loo (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi all: when is the best time to craft a chilli plant? Thank you vrry much
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20 Jun 13, Kerry Hart (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We would like to know how to keep/store our excess chilli's if you can assist us Regards Kerry
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07 Jul 13, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
Chillis freeze really well and I use them direct from frozen - just chop and cook!
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07 Jun 13, Jade Webb (Australia - temperate climate)
I heard that horse manure kills chilli plants. Is it true?
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20 May 13, Ollie (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought some chilli plants two months ago and the leaves are turning yellow, chillies growing on the tree, it's coming to the end of may. I taught it may be the weather but when I went to Bunnings there trees were green, any ideas before I lose them?
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24 May 13, Jas (Australia - temperate climate)
Try A mixture of 2 teaspoons of epsom salts to 500ml of water it works a treat
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Showing 281 - 290 of 434 comments
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I'm growing Trinidad scorpion Butch T and Moruga. seeing they are the worlds record holder for hottest Chillies Well why not give them ago. My first crop have now got fruit and I have a few friends who love hot food so when they found out I had some of the worlds hottest chillies they could not wait to try them. I warned them that they were hotter then anything they have ever tried in their life but this did not stop one mate who thought how bad could it be I said if you are going to eat one you have to eat and swollow the whole thing not just nibble on it. So he popped it in his mouth and begain to chew he wanted to show how tough he was so he kept chewing I could see the pain in his eyes he then tried to swollow it but choked on the hottness he tried milk and icecream but it was just to hot and ended having to go to hospital for a check up. no real harm done but for a good 45 minutes he wished he was dead. I've scraped the seeds out of one and eatten it and I love hot food but I was in so so much pain. In north QLD chillies grow all year round except when it floods and your chillies are a few feet under water that seems to kill them off.

- Ryan

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