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

20 Jul 20, Jyoti (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Best is to plant a new chillie plant.i had a plant which survived winter but did not gave as much fruit as it did before.
18 Jul 20, Theresa (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Hello, I want to grow chili peppers (Scotch Bonnet) soon but I see that it may be outside of the growth period. What advice would you give? I live in Long Beach, CA.
06 Aug 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Wait until it says when to plant is a good idea. The guide here says this is the best time to grow it, to give yourself the best chance of a good crop. Now you can start a little earlier or later but you may not produce as good a crop. Then you have to take your weather/climate conditions into considerations. This website isn't spot on all the time. They might say plant beans from fall (autumn) to spring, but the bean fly kill mine in autumn so I only plant in the spring. Where I live it says grow egg plant in warm weather, spring to late autumn. I have picked it all through winter. Sometimes it is all about trialing things or just having a go.
16 Jul 20, Tshwgo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am planning to plan habanero peppers and love in the north of Johannesburg. When is the best time to plant and how do I maintain? Thank you in advance
19 Jul 20, Astrid (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Don't be in a rush to get the seeds out. This year we've got a cold winter, so if you are sowing directly into the ground I would not sow earlier than mid September in Jhb North just to be safe. If you can start the seeds indoors you could sow early August, and plant out mid September. Plant in full sun at least 50cm apart. Make sure your plants don't dry out or your harvest will be affected. The best way to do this is to mulch well with organic matter around the plants (leaves, compost etc) to prevent moisture loss / keep moisture levels constant, but you will still need to water. When you see flowers develop, feed with a small handful (per plant) of Vita Veg Fruit & Flower - don't dig it in, just sprinkle around the plant. Leave your bushes to overwinter, they might survive!
16 Jul 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Check the chilli page for your climate zone and read it, it has when to plant. Then google how to grow chilli in south Africa.
10 Jul 20, Anver (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
i am going plant my chili seeds in tray an can i leave them indoor till it start to grow
13 Jul 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
It says plant seeds in Sept. Probably for soil temperature reasons. You could start inside in August but would have to provide warmth for them to germinate. Put them outside as soon as they germinate otherwise the might grow leggy, very tall and thin, looking for sunlight.
27 May 20, Retief (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I've sown my chilli seeds in may.. & they are now 30mm high I'm in the garden route where we have mild winters & sun .. do I plant them out or not risk the labour. I want to pot them for summer sales.
28 May 20, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Why did you plant in MAY, read when to plant them.
Showing 41 - 50 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

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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.
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