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                  
        T              

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in United Kingdom - warm/temperate 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.
  • Chilli harvest
  • Small, hot, chilli

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 peppers

Chillies 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for United Kingdom | for all countries
16 Sep 17, shraban (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Which spp. of chilli pepper can grow in temperate season? & What are the chemical and pesticides that needs to it?
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13 Jul 09, the Skunk (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
with reference to the question 'are there chillis hotter than habaneros ?' the answer is yes ! It is nearly 1/4 of a million Schovilles (unit measuring chillis strength) , its a beast called 'the Naga bin Jokial' and is outrageous , I ate one and went blind for over half an hour , check out Chilli Pepper Pete on the net , he loves them ! Hope this helps , maybe you could use them on the possums too .....
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19 Nov 12, Colin (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Re: The Naga Bin Jokial or The Naga Bhut Jolokia as they are more commonly known. The heat level has ranged from 661,451 SHU for green fruit, and up to 1,032,310 SHU for ripe fruit. Normally reaching around 1,001,300 Scoville heat units! This has now been superseded by the Dorset Naga which came in at 1,598,227 SHU and the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion which as of February 2012 is the worlds hottest at 2,009,231 SHU
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See comments for all plants

Have you considered the Carolina reaper? You may have to order plants but it is a very hot pepper..supposedly hotter than ghost

- Tammy

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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.
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