Chilli pepper
Start seed early (Feb-Mar) under heat, since this crop needs a long growing season to ripen fully outdoors in the UK.
Care
Sheltered — a greenhouse, polytunnel or warm sunny spot is usually needed to ripen a good crop in the UK climate.
Consistent moisture while fruiting; avoid extremes of wet and dry.
Fertile, well-drained soil or good quality compost in containers.
Pinch out the growing tip once the plant reaches around 30cm to encourage a bushier, more productive plant; support with a cane once fruit-laden, as branches can snap.
A high-potash tomato feed weekly once the first fruits have set. Before that a balanced feed is enough — too much nitrogen early gives a tall leafy plant that flowers late, which in a British summer means no ripe fruit at all.
From seed sown under cover in late winter with warmth: chillies need a long season here, and a late sowing is the commonest reason for a plant still full of green fruit when the season ends.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MayPlant out or move outdoors only once all frost risk has passed and nights are reliably mild. how ›
- JulyFeed weekly with a high-potassium feed once flowering and fruiting begins. how ›
- SeptemberBring pots under cover as nights cool, to finish ripening the last fruit. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPlant out or move outdoors only once all frost risk has passed and nights are reliably mild. how ›
- JulyFeed weekly with a high-potassium feed once flowering and fruiting begins. how ›
- SeptemberBring pots under cover as nights cool, to finish ripening the last fruit. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPlant out or move outdoors only once all frost risk has passed and nights are reliably mild. how ›
- JulyFeed weekly with a high-potassium feed once flowering and fruiting begins. how ›
- OctoberBring pots under cover as nights cool, to finish ripening the last fruit. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchPlant out or move outdoors only once all frost risk has passed and nights are reliably mild. how ›
- JulyFeed weekly with a high-potassium feed once flowering and fruiting begins. how ›
- OctoberBring pots under cover as nights cool, to finish ripening the last fruit. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Especially under glass.
What to do. Encourage predators; treat if severe.
How to spot it. In very hot or very cold conditions.
What to do. Erratic temperatures around flowering are the usual cause; ventilate greenhouses on hot days.
How to spot it. From insufficient pollinating insects under glass.
What to do. Hand-pollinate with a soft brush if needed.
Questions
Chilli pepper: is it hardy?
H1c: Tender, needs above 5°C. It survives above 5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Grown almost exclusively in pots or growing bags in the UK climate.
Chilli pepper: when do you prune it?
Pinch out the growing tip once the plant reaches around 30cm to encourage a bushier, more productive plant; support with a cane once fruit-laden, as branches can snap.
Chilli pepper: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–July.
When do you feed it?
A high-potash tomato feed weekly once the first fruits have set. Before that a balanced feed is enough — too much nitrogen early gives a tall leafy plant that flowers late, which in a British summer means no ripe fruit at all. Feeding months, UK: June–September.