Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Charlie updates a shady corner of his garden

Charlie updates a shady corner of his garden

Charlie visits Dale Frank Botanical Gardens

Charlie visits Dale Frank Botanical Gardens

Charlie Albone’s top tips for planting in summer

Charlie Albone’s top tips for planting in summer

Charlie Albone visits Mountainview Farm

Charlie Albone visits Mountainview Farm

{headline}

{headline}

Before & After: Charlie Albone's front garden makeover on a budget

Before & After: Charlie Albone's front garden makeover on a budget

How to create a native verge garden

How to create a native verge garden

Johanna and Charlie visit a Palm Springs-inspired home and garden

Johanna and Charlie visit a Palm Springs-inspired home and garden

{headline}

{headline}

Charlie makes his own weed killer

Charlie makes his own weed killer

Charlie Albone visits Wild Play Garden

Charlie Albone visits Wild Play Garden

How to make rhipsalis wall pockets

How to make rhipsalis wall pockets

The easy way to get a designer-style garden

The easy way to get a designer-style garden

How to care for your wheelbarrow

How to care for your wheelbarrow

Charle Albone’s landscaping essentials

Charle Albone’s landscaping essentials

How to choose a healthy plant at a nursery

How to choose a healthy plant at a nursery

  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to grow chillies

Charlie Albone shows you how. - by Charlie Albone
  • 30 Oct 2020

Of all the trends that have swept across the gardening world recently, there’s one that’s almost too hot to handle. As any chilli-obsessive knows, there are almost as many different colours, shapes and flavours of chilli as there are stars in the universe… and there’s something to love about all of them! 

WATCH: Charlie shows you how to grow chillies

Types of chillies

Chillies don’t just have different levels of heat, they also have distinctive flavours – from sweet to citrus, apple to cucumber – and they also vary in colour and shape.

Here are some the most common types you'll find.

Capsicum annuum

Most well-known chilli and peppers are actually strains of capsicum. Some of these include jalapenos, bell peppers and chilli peppers.

Capsicum chinense

These are one of the hotter species of chilli and are used to add more heat to a dish, particularly stews and sauces. 

types of chilli
Brent Wilson

Capsicum frutescens

This type is closely related to both Capsicum annuum and Capsicum chinense but grows a bit smaller. The most well-known are tabasco and Thai peppers.

Capsicum Baccatum

This unique type of chilli is notable for having citrus and fruity flavours and has only become popular in South American countries such as Peru and Brazil.

Capsicum pubescens

We’ve been eating this kind of purple pepper for so long that no-one knows what plant it comes from!

growing chilli in pot
Brent Wilson

How to care for chillies

Position

Chillies like a tropical, warm temperate. If you want to get the most out of your chillies, you’ll find that growing them in a warm, sheltered spot will make for the best flavour. They love full sun but in a hot climate, too much sun can dry them out. While chilli can tolerate a little bit of shade, make sure you keep them out of the wind as its branches are brittle and leaves can be easily torn.

Soil

Chilli will be happy in most garden soils, however, any soil too heavy, damp or wet will stunt its growth. Best to go for a free-draining quality garden soil. If growing in a pot, use a premium organic potting mix.

Watering

While the chilli is growing and fruit is developing, keep the plant moist but never wet. If growing in a pot, be sure to water regularly and avoid putting a saucer underneath.

Fertiliser

Feed your chilli with a controlled-release fertiliser at planting time or annually. This liquid fertiliser is great for potted seedlings, apply as per the label once a week or every ten days. 

Pruning

At the start of the growing season – or especially if it’s in a shady spot – lightly tip prune new growth. After the last fruit has been picked and the plant is dropping leaves, you can prune it back quite a lot and trim any spindly branches.

chillis in bowl
Brent Wilson

Pests

Chilli is susceptible to several pests, but they are all easily treatable.  

  • Snails leave holes and chew marks along leaf edges, so use a pet-friendly bail or homemade beer trap to keep them at bay.    
  • Aphids can attack new growth but all you need is a commercial spray or homemade soapy garlic spray to get rid of them.
  • Fruit flies and white flies are attracted to ripening fruit, so keep them away with sticky traps or neem oil.
  • Blossom end rot can be avoided by regularly and evenly watering the roots and applying dolomite lime.
Charlie holding bowl of chilli
Brent Wilson

You may also like: 

A guide to growing herbs

How to grow organic vegetables

How to grow your own tomatoes

  • Garden
  • TV
  • Backyard Ideas
  • Front Garden Ideas
Charlie Albone
Charlie Albone
Charlie has worked internationally and in Australia for the past 17 years, designing and building gardens that are timeless, inspiring and enjoyable to spend time in. In 2015 and 2016, he was awarded two Silver gilt medals for his own gardens at the world’s most prestigious flower show The Chelsea Flower Show.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Charlie updates a shady corner of his garden

Charlie updates a shady corner of his garden

Charlie visits Dale Frank Botanical Gardens

Charlie visits Dale Frank Botanical Gardens

Charlie Albone’s top tips for planting in summer

Charlie Albone’s top tips for planting in summer

Charlie Albone visits Mountainview Farm

Charlie Albone visits Mountainview Farm

{headline}

{headline}

Before & After: Charlie Albone's front garden makeover on a budget

Before & After: Charlie Albone's front garden makeover on a budget

How to create a native verge garden

How to create a native verge garden

Johanna and Charlie visit a Palm Springs-inspired home and garden

Johanna and Charlie visit a Palm Springs-inspired home and garden

{headline}

{headline}

Charlie makes his own weed killer

Charlie makes his own weed killer

Charlie Albone visits Wild Play Garden

Charlie Albone visits Wild Play Garden

How to make rhipsalis wall pockets

How to make rhipsalis wall pockets

The easy way to get a designer-style garden

The easy way to get a designer-style garden

How to care for your wheelbarrow

How to care for your wheelbarrow

Charle Albone’s landscaping essentials

Charle Albone’s landscaping essentials

How to choose a healthy plant at a nursery

How to choose a healthy plant at a nursery

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!