Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Plant Profiles / Chilli
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Chilli
Capsicum annuum · Chili pepper, hot pepper
Compact, productive plants with glossy fruit in red, orange, yellow and purple. Ornamental and edible in sunny pots.
Full sunLight
Every 2–3 daysWater
EasyCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun
ShadeFull sun
6–8 hours of sun.
Water
Every 2–3 days
DryWet
Even moisture.
Humidity
Average
LowHigh
Adaptable.
Temperature
15–35°C (59–95°F)
CoolWarm
Frost tender.
Growth
Moderate, bushy
SlowFast
Grows 40–80 cm.
Soil
Rich, free-draining
LeanRich
Vegetable mix.
Fertiliser
Fortnightly when fruiting
RarelyOften
Tomato fertiliser.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
Leaves and fruit can upset pets.
About this plant
Chillies come from Central and South America. They love heat and fruit heavily in pots. Some can be kept over winter as perennials in frost-free areas.
Best spots
Sunny balconies, courtyards and kitchen pots.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Capsicum annuum |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Origin | Central & South America |
| Plant type | Annual or short-lived perennial |
| Mature size | 40–80 cm |
| Growth rate | Moderate |
| Flowers | Small white |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Seed |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Plant
Harvest
Fertilise
PlantHarvestFertilise
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Flowers drop | Too hot or dry. |
| Aphids | Hose off. |
| Fruit fly | Use traps. |
| Yellow leaves | Hungry. |
| Few fruit | Needs more sun. |
Common questions
When are they ripe?
When fully coloured.
Can I keep it over winter?
Yes, in frost-free spots.
Pot size?
25–30 cm.
Toxic?
To pets, yes.
