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How to Grow Chillies

Some like it hot! And if you do, then why not grow your own chilli? They range from mild peppery flavours to brilliant red mouth-burning tongue twisters – so hot that they can be dangerous and must be handled with care, even when planting. Ensure you wear gloves when sowing seeds and to wash your hands well after harvesting chillies as the oil/capsaicin can be irritating to eyes and sensitive skin.

Full sun

Regular watering

Well drained

Suitable for all climatic zones.

Harvest when fruit is full formed, this can take 10-12 weeks

Can be all year round depending on variety and your location (check the label)

How to grow chillies in a garden

Step 1

Choose a spot that gets plenty of sun and has well-drained soil.

Step 2

Prepare your soil ready for planting by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser a few weeks prior to planting.

Step 3

Wearing gloves, sow seeds directly into the garden bed or start in trays filled with Yates Seed Raising Mix and transplant when seeds are 5cm high.

Step 4

Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Tomato Liquid Plant Food and make sure they are well watered. A layer of organic mulch, such as sugarcane or pea straw will help retain moisture in the soil.

Step 5

Harvest when young or, for hotter taste, harvest when fully ripe. Pick often to encourage more flowering and fruiting.

How to grow chillies in a pot

Step 1

Choose a good sized pot, at least 200-300m wide and 300mm deep. Position in a sunny spot.

Step 2

Fill with a quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 3

Wearing gloves, sow seeds direct or start in trays filled with Yates Seed Raising Mix and transplant into pots when seeds are 5cm tall.

Step 4

Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Tomato Liquid Plant Food and make sure they are well watered.

Step 5

Harvest when young or, for hotter taste, harvest when fully ripe. Pick often to encourage more flowering and fruiting.

Yates varieties

Growing tips

Prune plants right back before the chance of frost in winter, but leave a few green leaves on each branch so the plant can continue to grow. Mulch well to protect from the cold.