Planting, caring for and overwintering chili

The hot chili comes from hot regions, but can also be grown here. We give tips on planting, caring for and overwintering chillies.

Foodies with a green thumb can actually avoid growing their own chillies (capsicum) not around in the garden. Chilies have been adding the right zing to dishes in Asian and Latin American cuisine for a long time. But spicy food is also becoming more and more popular with us. So it's no wonder that more and more gardeners are planting chillies themselves. However, the chili is not one of the most undemanding plant companions in the garden. It therefore takes expert knowledge to let chillies grow and thrive in your garden. We'll tell you everything you need to know about growing chillies, from the origin, types and varieties, to planting, caring for and overwintering, to harvesting the hot pods.

Chillies love warmth and need lots of sun and water. In short: our climatic conditions don't exactly make it easy for the chili to grow in our gardens. But the joy is all the greater when the cultivation is successful and you can bring in a rich harvest of chilies. There are many reasons to grow chillies yourself: For centuries people have been using the taste and heat of chillies to refine their dishes. Chili seeds believed to be over 6000 years old have been found in Peru and Mexico. And it's not just the taste of chillies that makes them indispensable in the kitchen - because chillies contain more vitamin C than oranges. In addition, the consumption of chilies stimulates digestion and circulation. Our body also reacts to the spiciness of the pod by releasing endorphins. So when we eat chillies, we feel happier.

You are still not completely convinced of the plant? The samurai in Japan are said to have eaten as much chili as possible before important fights in order to no longer be afraid. And in Hungary, too, the mixture of chilli seeds and ground chili peppers - also called paprika - is very popular and even a national spice. And an American rock band was so enthusiastic about chillies that they named their band after them: The "Red Hot Chili Peppers".

Chili: origin and properties

Chilies originally come from Central and South America. After discovering America, Christopher Columbus brought them to Europe, from where chillies eventually conquered the whole world. Today, the world's largest growing area for chilies is in Mexico. But a lot of chili is also grown in China, India and Indonesia.

Chilies belong to the genus of plants capsicum and thus to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The mostly perennial, herbaceous plants reach heights of growth of around 150 centimetres, but there are also ground-covering and much larger species and varieties. The flowers of the chili are hermaphrodite and white. But there are also chili varieties with violet or greenish flowers. Although the fruit of the chili is colloquially referred to as a pod, it is actually a berry. The fruits of the chillies are very rich in different shapes and colors. From spherical to pointed and cylindrical, everything is included. The color spectrum of the chillies ranges from green to red, orange, yellow and purple.

Types and varieties of chili

Experts estimate that there are between 2,500 and 3,000 different types of chili worldwide. These are divided into five main types of chili:

• Capsicum annum: This type includes both the conventional sweet peppers as well as many types of chili. Typical varieties of this type are 'cayenne' and 'jalapeno'.
• Capsicum chinense: Contrary to what the name might suggest, this type of chili does not come from China, but from the Amazon rainforest. A well-known variety of this type is the 'Habanero'.
• Capsicum baccatum: This type of chilli is characterized by the unusual shape of its fruit. The sorts 'little fingers' and 'angelo' belonged to this species.

• Capsicum frutescens: Well-known representatives of this type are, for example ,Tabasco' and 'Malagueta'.
• Capsicum pubescens: Although this species is still relatively unknown in Europe, it is becoming increasingly popular.
• Capsicum pubescens are tree chillies and are often called Rocoto or Locoto.

Tip: You will also find five fiery types of chili in our Plantura Chili Cultivation Set. With the set you can easily grow your own chillies.

Even more chili varieties can be found here in our special article.

Buy chili

When buying chillies, the choice of variety is particularly important. This determines the colour, shape and heat of the chillies. Other important criteria for the purchase should be the quality and size of the plant. You can buy chilli plants in spring in hardware stores, garden centers and nurseries or online.

What else? Buying chili you have to pay attention to and where you can best buy chili plants, you can find out here.

plant chili

As soon as there is no more ground frost - usually after the ice saints in mid-May - it is the perfect time to plant chillies. In the greenhouse you can even plant out earlier.

Chillies need a location that is as warm and sunny as possible and loose, nutrient-rich soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH value. With our peat-free Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil your chili plants are perfectly cared for. The chillies can then move into the bed with a planting distance of 40 centimeters. Each plant is then attached to a plant stick and watered well.

A comprehensive guide to Planting chillies you can read here.

Plant tree chili/chilli tree

A wind-protected location is particularly important for tree chillies. In addition, this chilli species prefers a semi-shady location. To give the plant the necessary support, it should be attached to a stick.

Everything you about the tree chili need to know, you can find out here in our article.

Plant chili in a pot

To plant chillies in a pot, you need a pot or bucket that can hold at least 6 liters. Only then is the container large enough for your chili to feel really good in it. A drainage hole and a drainage layer - for example made of potsherds or expanded clay - in the planter are also important. After creating the drainage layer, fill the pot up to a third with substrate, insert the chilli plant and cover it with the rest of the substrate. In summer, the chili in the pot can be in a sunny spot in the garden. In winter, the plant then moves into the house or the conservatory. A liquid fertilizer such as our Plantura is suitable for care in the pot Organic Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer excellent, which is simply administered over the irrigation water.

Cultivate chili

Chilies have a fiery taste and are difficult to care for. A few things must be observed and considered so that your chillies can bear fruit successfully. We will tell you everything about the correct watering, fertilizing and overwintering of chillies.

pour chili

The most common mistake when growing chili is actually wrong watering. Chillies are sensitive to dehydration, but waterlogging is even more damaging. The root ball of the chili should never dry out completely, but the top layer of soil should be dry before you water again. If the leaves of the chilli plant wilt, it is high time to water them. Water so much that the entire substrate can be penetrated by water. On hot summer days, you may even have to water your chillies every day. The water in the pot should be able to drain away easily. Waterlogging is very damaging to the chili: the roots can suffocate and harmful fungi find the best conditions to develop.

Fertilize chili

Chilies are among the heavy feeders and are therefore dependent on fertilizers. It is best to fertilize for the first time immediately after pricking out and repotting. A fertilizer with an organic long-term effect, such as ours, is best suited Plantura organic tomato fertilizer. This optimally supplies the chili with nutrients. Before the chili is planted outdoors, you can enrich the soil with compost or other organic material. Here, too, a fertilizer with an organic long-term effect can be used as an alternative. You can fertilize again after two months if necessary. The next fertilization takes place three to four weeks before harvest.

How your Fertilize chilli plants should and what they thrive best on, we have compiled for you in our special article.

Hibernate chili

Adapted to a tropical climate, chillies are very sensitive to frost and are not suitable for overwintering outdoors. However, unlike tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), not annual, but can be cultivated for several years. In order for this to succeed, you must overwinter your chillies professionally.

If the temperatures outside drop below 10 °C at night, it's time to bring the chilies inside. The plants can optimally overwinter in a bright, warm place with temperatures of a maximum of 20 °C or in a bright, cooler place with temperatures between 10 and 15 °C. Even in winter, chillies are dependent on care measures such as regular watering. If it is warm enough again in spring, the successfully overwintered chillies can move outside again and start a new gardening season.

You can find out more about this in our article “Hibernate chili“.

harvest chili

Determining the optimal harvest time for chillies is not that easy: Because each chilli variety has its own harvest time. Experience and your own assessment of your personal ideal level of maturity usually help. However, there are a few pointers to look out for when harvesting.

Signs your chillies will soon be ready to harvest:

• color change
• The shell slowly becomes shriveled and contracts
• The flesh yields slightly when pressure is applied
• Small black spots appear

When harvesting, it is important not to injure the chillies. Therefore, a sharp knife or scissors should be used for this purpose. Freshly harvested chillies are best kept in the refrigerator.

What at Harvesting Chili you have to pay attention to and how freshly harvested chillies are stored correctly, you can find out here.

Preserving chili: pickling, freezing & Co.

In order to be able to enjoy your own chillies all year round, we will show you a variety of methods for preserving chillies. The easiest way is to freeze. Another relatively simple way to preserve chillies is to dry them. This can be done either in the oven, in the fresh air, over a heat source or in a dehydrator. If you would like to be a little more creative, you can either boil down your chillies, put them in oil or even ferment them - i.e. ferment them with lactic acid.

For detailed instructions on the different methods of preservation, see our article on “Preserve chili“.

For most people, the most important thing about chili is that it is properly hot. We give you five tips on how to make your Get chillies really hot.

If you're in the mood for something luxurious, find out more about here the most expensive chili in the world.