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

22 Nov 19, anon (Australia - tropical climate)
I have that wrong with the melons etc. In tropics plant mid-late Autumn. In the sub tropics plant spring but you need to germinate the seeds in late winter- a problem with soil temps then as they are a little low. Germinate indoors in a warm area.
10 Oct 19, Phil Rodwell (Australia - temperate climate)
Just wanted to say what an amazingly useful resource your site is. Thanks for so much useful advice. Regards Phil Rodwell (Thank you, from the Gardenate team)
27 Aug 19, Jodie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What best month plant chilli seeds please
27 Aug 19, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Check here https://www.gardenate.com/plant/Chilli%20peppers?zone=3
20 Mar 19, amelia hall (Australia - tropical climate)
how many types of chilli peppers are there in the world?
23 Mar 19, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
Wikipedia estimates 50,000 varieties of
18 Feb 19, Geoff Baker (Australia - temperate climate)
Do chilli plants need plenty of water? My bushes look healthy but the leaves and flowers keep falling off. Thanks
19 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depends on the soil type. Small plants need small waterings regularly - each day in summer especially. Larger plants need a bigger watering less often - each 2-3 days. Pushing your finger in the soil will tell you if the soil is dry or wet.
19 Feb 19, Carmen J. (Australia - temperate climate)
Your peppers and chillies will do better with some shade cloth on top, not more than 50% shade, they are stress with the heat and they start to drop leaves and flowers.
27 Jan 19, Peter Krochmal (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
try PEPPER JOE'S in the USA, specialised in super hot chilies. Mails seeds to Australia, with a good germination rate.
Showing 11 - 20 of 271 comments

Do chilli plants need plenty of water? My bushes look healthy but the leaves and flowers keep falling off. Thanks

- Geoff Baker

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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. Gardenate 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.