How To Grow Chillies

Originating in Mexico, and claimed to be one of the oldest cultivated crops, chillies have become a popular addition to many cuisines worldwide. Growing your own chillies can be very rewarding, and by following our simple chilli grow guide tips, you can learn how to grow chillies from seed.

Chilli Classification

Family

Solanaceae.

Genus

Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens & Capsicum chinense.

Chilli Varieties

We love a good chilli at Mr Fothergill’s and have a huge selection available. This includes Devil's Brew, Habanero Giant Red, Pepper Cayenne, Shake, Hot Thai Bird's Eye, Jalapeno, Mezcla Americana, Scotch Bonnet, Fire and Ice, and Big Jim.

Super Hot Chilli Varieties

We have lots of super hot chilli varieties available, including Carolina Reaper, Bhut Jolokia (Ghost), Butch T Scorpion, Moruga Scorpion Chocolate, and Moruga Scorpion Red.

Chillies thrive in warm spring and summer temperatures and for areas with a short growing season or if you’re growing super hot chillies, consider starting seeds indoors for early spring transplants.

Chilli seeds need ideal conditions to germinate including a steady, warm soil temperature of at least 20 degrees Celsius. Ensure the nighttime temperatures do not drop below this level if sowing outdoors.

Mr Fothergill's superhot chillies can often require even warmer soil of 22-26 degrees and it’s advisable to sow inside a mini greenhouse placed on top of a heat pad. Make sure you take a look at our How to Grow Hot Chillies guide.

Chilli can be grown in pots or soil that’s fertile and well-draining, and full sun is needed to ripen the fruit on these plants. Incorporate plenty of garden compost into the soil and remember that chillies prefer slightly acidic soil of 5.5-6.5. Adding manures will assist in lowering the pH.

Chilli seeds shouldn’t be buried too deeply as this will also affect germination. 5mm is ideal. Some gardeners choose to soak their seeds in warm water for a few hours before planting and you should ensure seeds are kept moist but not left too damp.

Sowing in seed trays or punnets is advised as this generally means environmental conditions can be kept stable. They can then be transplanted into their final growing position when large enough to handle.

During the seedling stage ensure your plants are kept well-fed with a weekly application of liquid fish emulsion. Once planted into prepared soil or a pot, apply slow-release organic fertiliser. Side dress every 4-6 weeks to top up the fertiliser and when the plants begin to flower, a liquid feed rich in potassium is advised every fortnight.

When growing, make sure your plants are kept out of strong winds because the branches may snap. Some plants may require extra support so attaching them to some bamboo stakes is beneficial. If any branches snap, simply prune them off to allow new growth to form.

Also, ensure that beds are kept weed-free and well-mulched as this will minimise pest and disease issues.

Chillies can be irritating to the eyes and skin so it is advisable to wear gloves when harvesting your crop.

To harvest, gently pinch off the fruit that is the desired colour, with jalapenos picked when green and the desired size. Ensure you do not pull too hard on the stems of the fruit as it can snap branches. Plants can become quite bushy, too, so search through the plant and remove any old fruit to prevent pests.

Germination times vary across varieties and for super hot chillies like the famous Carolina Reaper, it can take very long indeed, so start the seedlings much earlier in the season indoors. One germination trick that some horticulturalists recommend is soaking the seeds in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for half an hour before planting. The peroxide is said to oxygenate the seed which signals a growth response.

Pest and Disease Prevention

Fortunately, due to their spicy nature, chillies are prey to pests. Aphids may become a problem for young seedlings and enjoy fresh leaf growth, but these can be controlled with an organic horticultural oil-based spray. Contact your local garden centre for suitable options.

Along with aphids, plants may experience sooty mould, a black sticky fungus that can develop after an insect attack. It doesn’t pose an immediate risk to plants, but over time can reduce photosynthesis as the leaves become coated. Once the pest issue is addressed, the fungus can be wiped off the leaves with mild, soapy water.

In areas of New Zealand known for fruit fly infestation, using exclusion netting on your crop will be beneficial. Opt for a fine insect mesh that’s designed to exclude small insects like fruit flies. If you find any fruit that has become soft and filled with maggots, discard it immediately to prevent further pest issues.

Companion Plants for Chillies

Plant your chilli with tomato seeds, basil, spring onion, chive, and marjoram. You can also rotate crops alongside potato, tomato, capsicum, and eggplant.