(Best months for planting Chilli in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

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 fruit.

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 accidentally rubbing chilli juice onto your mouth or eyes!

Your comments and tips

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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17 May 13, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi, I bought 3 small chilli plants recently, unfortunately 2 died, & I am trying to keep the 3rd surviving plant alive, but it is wilting. I have it in a small pot on a north facing verandah, but I was wondering if it may be too cold for it - it is now May, and I live on the south-west coast of Victoria & prone to frosts. I was wondering what I can do to keep the plant alive. I have noticed a couple of small white flowers on the plant, but the plant itself is very small & wilting -?too much water. I am a beginner gardener, & would be really encouraged if I could manage to keep this plant alive & able to produce chili's which I love. thanking you, Helen

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15 May 13, charmaine (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

Does one have to replant chilli plants every year or does the bush actually stay as a kind of shrub?

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10 May 13, Hannes Stoltz (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

We re looking chillie growers around the Rustenburg area to contact Many questions to ask. Tel No required

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30 Mar 13, Rae (Australia - temperate climate)

I live in Perth WA and have a jalepeno chilli plant which has been producing abundantly for the past few months. According to people who like chillis' (not me!) they are 'particularly flavoursome'. Over the past few weeks we have noticed small holes appearing in some of the chillis' and inside the pod there appears to be a fungus. Would you be able to suggest a way of treating this problem, please?

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28 Apr 13, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)

I have had the same prob (and i love to eat my chillis) i find if i leave them to begin to turn red they get attacked by a mite that bores a hole and it does look like fungus but if u leave long enough small worm like creatures grow .. I believe the " fungus " is actually eggs .... I pick mine while still green and they have been clean inside and fine to eat .. Hope this helps ..dawn. ( perth wa)

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25 Mar 13, Heidi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

What types of chillies are found in South Africa?

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23 Mar 13, Sharonpkr (Australia - temperate climate)

I have been growing chillies each year for over a decade now - I have planted my chillies within 20cm of my brick wall and they have been producing abundantly now for 4 years. Each November I simply cut off any dead wood and cut down to a node and the tree comes back to life and produces chillies much earlier than new chilli plants do. I have jalapeño's, long red and yellow banana. I fertilise with dynamic lifter and blood and bone

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