Growing chillies in the garden, vegetable patch or in pots on a terrace is a great way to have fresh chillies available for your cooking. For a successful harvest, it is important to grow and care for the plants properly. Discover our practical tips for successfully growing chillies at home.
Growing chillies: seeds or young plants?
Chillies can be grown either from seeds or from young plants. The best option will depend on when you start growing them and on your personal preferences.
Sowing chilli seeds
Before you plant chillies, it is important to choose the right variety. The Capsicum genus includes several major species, including Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum pubescens, Capsicum chinense and Capsicum frutescens. For the best chance of success, choose varieties suited to your local climate and growing conditions. Capsicum annuum varieties, which include Ancho, paprika and Cayenne types, are among the most widely grown.
The best time to sow chilli seeds is generally between February and April. It is usually a good idea to sow several seeds, as germination rates can vary.
Planting young chilli plants
Starting with young chilli plants can be a good option if you only begin growing in April or May. It is also convenient if you do not want to wait for seeds to germinate and develop into established seedlings.
How to plant chillies
Growing chillies is not particularly difficult, but it does require some patience. To grow chillies in pots, follow these basic steps:
- Fill the pot with good-quality, loose and nutrient-rich compost, ideally enriched with organic matter;
- place the seeds in the compost;
- cover the seeds lightly with compost;
- water regularly to keep the growing medium evenly moist, particularly during the first few weeks, without allowing it to become waterlogged;
- once the seedlings appear, place the pots in a warm and very bright position. Young plants should be gradually acclimatised to strong direct sunlight;
- prick out or transplant the seedlings once they have developed several healthy leaves, moving them into larger pots and making sure the roots are properly covered with compost;
- if temperatures are still low, keep the chilli plants in a greenhouse or provide sufficient artificial grow lighting indoors.
Good to know: Chillies thrive in warmth and plenty of light, with regular watering. However, waterlogged soil should be avoided. Young plants should also be introduced gradually to strong direct sunlight to reduce the risk of leaf scorch.
Growing chillies successfully: tips and advice
To grow chilli plants successfully, it is important to take the needs of the chosen variety into account. The following tips can help:
- Start chillies indoors: Growing chillies indoors initially is particularly useful in regions with a short or cool growing season. It gives these heat-loving plants an early start.
- Choose suitable companion plants: Chillies can be grown near other heat-loving vegetables such as aubergines, tomatoes and sweet peppers, provided each plant has enough space, light and nutrients.
- Care for chilli plants properly: Chillies need regular watering, but the soil should not remain constantly wet. Depending on the compost and fertiliser used, feeding during the growing season can also be beneficial. Make sure the plants receive plenty of light and warmth.
- Keep pests under control: Chilli plants may be affected by pests such as aphids and spider mites. Check the plants regularly and deal with infestations as early as possible. If necessary, use suitable plant-protection methods approved for edible crops.
Good to know: The time needed before chillies can be harvested varies considerably depending on the variety and growing conditions. It often takes several months from germination before the first ripe fruits are ready to pick. The chillies develop after flowering and then ripen progressively.
