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(Best months for planting Chilli in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

• Harvest in 65-80 days
• 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.
• Space plants: 40-50cm

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 'chillies'.

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

Chillis 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 accidently rubbing chilli juice onto your mouth or eyes!

Your comments and tips

27 Dec 09 John (Australia - temperate climate)

Hey SP, chillies take a little longer to germinate than most vegies, some i have planted have taken 3-4 weeks!. Hang in there and keep it moist, they will germinate when they are ready,

10 Jan 10 Simon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

hey Jason, thanks for the info. yes now I remember just want to know what I will be eating and giving to friends, Cheers

16 Jan 10 Paul (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Guys, I had a heap of chilli seeds sent to melbourne from the states about October last year. Due to my wife being pregnant and other things I forgot about them. I planted a heap of them last week. Is their any chance I will get anything off them or is it too late? I'm kicking myself.

17 Jan 10 Mike (Australia - temperate climate)

Have planted some chilli plants from seedling in pots about a month ago. Plants are about 40 - 50cm tall. The are very slow at producing flowers compared to a mates plants. He isn't doing anything different to me. Any tips to get flowers and fruit?

17 Jan 10 Chris L (Australia - temperate climate)

Have planted various kinds of chilies. 1- Habaneros are ornage when ripe but not hot at all. Anyone can explain why? 2- Something is eating the leaves of my Thai chilies. Plant is almost bald. Have used pyrethrum spray & snail/slug pellet but to no avail. Any idea what the mystery pest is & what can I do? 3- What's the best way to prune chili plants? Thanks & Happy gardening, y'all! :-)

31 Jan 10 bryan dunlop (Australia - temperate climate)

Have several chilli plants growing and something is eating the leaves. Whay could it be and how do i treat?

02 Feb 10 Steve (Australia - temperate climate)

Hey, I raised some plants in the seed tray (with lid) they grew very tall and thin over about 2 weeks. Still only 2 leaves and no real leaves. I put them outside for a bit and some shrivelled up. Was it too sudden a change for them?

10 Feb 10 phil (Australia - temperate climate)

i have 1 chilli plant in a large pot with other herbs on my balcony. some thing is eating the leaves. what would it be & what can i do to prevent is?

13 Feb 10 Beverley (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

My Birds Eye chillie plants are now approx. 5 ft high covered in tons of little chillies - do you prune chillie plants? - first time chillie grower!!!.

23 Feb 10 Alison Smith (Australia - temperate climate)

Feb 10 - We've planted a black pearl capsicum - stunning black foliage & fruit. Just harvested and deseeded the ripe fruit (red). I will try my hand at growing some more from seed. I make the mistake of not handling them with gloves, so my hands are still stinging. The brother in law's a chilli fan, but these'll blow his head off!