Hibernating chilli: this is how your chilli survives

Even if the fiery chilli prefers to be warm, it can survive our domestic winters. We show you how to successfully overwinter chillies.

In their original homeland in Central and South America are Chillies (Capsicum) spoiled by sun and warmth. There is no winter there. But with us - and very cold and frosty ones. Since the plant is not used to it, a few things have to be observed so that chilies survive the winter well in our country as well. In our article you will find out when it gets too cold for the chilli and how you can overwinter chillies in the garden and in the pot.

Because of their sensitivity to frost, chilies are usually only grown here as an annual. But that doesn't have to be the case, because chillies, in contrast to tomatoes (

Solanum lycopersicum), perennial plants. In the right place, the chilli can even bear fruit all year round.
Chillies belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and to the genus Capsicum. There are an incredible number of types of chilli worldwide, essentially five CapsicumSpecies are assigned. So that you don't have to go without fresh chillies in winter, we give you a few tips and tricks on how to properly overwinter your chillies.

When does the chilli get too cold?

Chilies love warmth and will die in light frost. If temperatures drop below 14 ° C at night, most chillies will grow much more slowly. Most types of chilli lose their leaves and look sickly and unhealthy at temperatures below 10 ° C. Especially the chilli kind Capsicum chinense is very sensitive to cold and does not tolerate temperatures below 13 ° C. Tree chillies are, however, a little less sensitive. Chillies of the kind Capsicum pubescens, which also includes the tree chilli, can even withstand night temperatures of up to 8 ° C.

Hibernate the chilli outside

Since temperatures can fall well below 10 ° C even in autumn, overwintering chillies outside is almost impossible. The only way to overwinter chilies in the garden is in a heated greenhouse. Here you can regulate the temperature and ensure that your chillies never get too cold, even in winter.

Hibernate chilli in a pot

It is much safer to overwinter chillies in pots. Here you can make sure that your chillies are warm enough. Nevertheless, leave the chillies outside in a sheltered place for as long as possible. If the temperatures drop permanently, it's time for the chilli to move. Now you have two options to overwinter your chillies: in a warm, sunny place or in a cooler place. Ideally, you should overwinter your chillies in a cool, bright room. Temperatures between 10 and 15 ° C are optimal. However, it should never be colder than 10 ° C.

If the chilli is overwintered cold, it will not bear any fruit during this time. But he can gather strength for the new season during the winter rest. Alternatively, you can overwinter your chillies in a warm, sunny place, for example in the bright winter garden, in the heated greenhouse or in a warm place on a sunny window sill. The temperatures here should also be a maximum of 20 ° C. You should keep the light and temperature conditions as constant as possible throughout the winter. Then there is the possibility that the plant will bloom over winter and bear fruit. Too little light makes the plant stunted. Please also note that the chilli is significantly more susceptible to pests, especially if it is kept warm over the winter Spider mites, is.

Wintering chilli at a glance:

• Cool and bright is optimal
• Temperatures between 10 - 15 ° C
• Never frost or temperatures below 10 ° C
• Alternatively, overwintering at max. 20 ° C

Tip: Do you already know our grow kits? With the Plantura chilli growing kit you can easily grow chillies yourself. The set contains seeds for five different hot chilli varieties - there is something for every taste.

Maintain chilli in winter

Proper care during the winter also plays an important role. If you bring the chilli plant indoors, the soil in the pot should be as dry as possible. If the soil is too wet, the roots can quickly go moldy. Less care is required in a cool winter: you should just make sure that the soil in the pot is never wet, but rather dry to slightly damp. The pot shouldn't dry out completely either. The fertilization is completely stopped in winter. If the chilli is in the warm during the winter, you have to do a little more to make your plant feel really good. Water them regularly and also spray them with water. Chilies prefer a humidity of over 50%. If the humidity is lower, they can dry out too easily. On the other hand, if the humidity is too high, mold and pest infestation can be favored. Chilies also don't like dry heated air at all. You should regularly remove dried up or dead parts of the plant. It's also a good idea to check your chilli regularly for pests. Just Aphids and spider mites cause problems for chilli in winter too.

Summary of caring for chillies in winter:

• Never keep the soil too moist, but don't let it dry out either
• Adjust fertilization
• Spray regularly with water
• Humidity of over 50%
• Regularly check the plant for pests

Once the winter is over, you can slowly prepare the chillies for summer again. From mid-February to early March, the plants are then placed a little warmer and watered more regularly. In addition, the chilli is cut back and repotted in spring.

If the chillies are successfully overwintered, a new summer and a new chilli harvest is imminent. Five Tips to make chillies really hot, you can read here.