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 S            
        T T T          

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 50 cm 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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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!
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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!!!.
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22 Jun 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am not sure how to pick chillies,do you cut the stem or pull off from the base of chilli
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16 May 11, Dennis (Australia - temperate climate)
leave the whole stem on the chillie.
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25 Jun 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
In the supermarket they all seem to have a bit of stem still attached, so they've been cut off. I normally cut them, as if they are ripe then pulling them will split the fruit and cover your hands with chilli juice.
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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! :-)
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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?
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It will grow in the ground but most likely die in frost. You can plant in the ground then pot up in around the end of April. Keep it out of frost. Then in mid August to September you can plant in your garden again after the last expected frost. If you have a north facing window with good sunlight you can leave it in the pot for now then bring it inside for winter next to the window. I would now save the ground planting until next spring. The height depends on species/variety. Almost all chillies will grow bigger in the ground though.

- Nate.

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