Overwintering the chili: This is how your chili will survive

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

In their original homeland in Central and South America chillies (capsicum) spoiled by sun and warmth. There is no winter there. With us, however, it is – and very cold and frosty. Since the plant is not used to it, a few things have to be considered so that chillies survive the winter well here too. In our article you will find out when the chili gets too cold and how you can overwinter chillies in the garden and in the pot.

Because of their sensitivity to frost, chillies are usually only grown once a year. But that doesn't have to be the case, because chilies, in contrast to tomatoes, for example (

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

When does the chilli get too cold?

Chilies love warmth and die even in a light frost. If the temperatures fall below 14 °C at night, most chillies grow much more slowly. From temperatures permanently below 10 °C, most types of chili lose their leaves and look sickly and unhealthy. Especially the chilli kind Capsicum chinense is very sensitive to cold and does not tolerate temperatures below 13 °C. tree chillies are somewhat less sensitive. Kind of chillies Capsicum pubescens, which also includes the tree chilli, can even survive nighttime temperatures of up to 8 °C.

Overwinter chili outside

Since the temperatures can fall well below 10 °C even in autumn, it is almost impossible for chillies to overwinter outside. The only way to overwinter chillies 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.

Overwinter the chili in the pot

Overwintering chillies in a pot is much safer. 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 then drop permanently, it is time for the chili to move. Now you have two options for overwintering your chillies: in a warm, sunny place or in a cooler place. Ideally, you overwinter your chillies in a cool, bright room. Temperatures between 10 and 15 °C are optimal. However, it should never get colder than 10 °C.

If the chili is wintered cold, it will not bear any fruit during this time. But he can gather strength for the new season during the hibernation. Alternatively, you can overwinter your chillies in a warm, sunny place, for example in a bright conservatory, in a heated greenhouse or in a warm place on a sunny windowsill. 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 also produce flowers and bear fruit over the winter. Too little light causes the plant to wither. Please also note that the chili is much more susceptible to pests if it is warm over the winter, especially spider mites, is.

Overwintering chili at a glance:

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

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

Caring for chili in winter

Proper care during the winter also plays an important role. If you bring the chilli plant into the house, the soil in the pot should be as dry as possible. If the soil is too wet, the roots can quickly become moldy. Less care is required for a cool hibernation: You should only make sure that the soil in the pot is never wet, but rather dry to slightly damp. However, the pot should not dry out completely. The fertilization is completely stopped in winter. If the chili stays warm throughout the winter, you have to do a little more to ensure that your plant is doing really well. 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, this can promote mold and pest infestation. Chillies don't like dry heating air either. Dry or dead plant parts should be removed regularly. It is also advisable to regularly check your chili for pests. Just aphids and spider mites bother the chili in winter too.

Summary 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
• air humidity of over 50%
• Check the plant regularly 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 chili is cut back and repotted in the spring.

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