-Please See our New Chilli Growing Guide Here-
This page is for a basic understanding of growing chilli plants in different growing conditions
Seed Germination
Chilli seeds need a heat source from underneath into a high humidity enclosure to achieve easy quick germination, recommended to use a heated propagator
Allowing seeds to germinate naturally will result in lower percentage of success and will take longer
Growing Indoors
Advantages
Protection from frost, heavy rains, high winds
Reduced risk of insect infestation
Longer growing season for better pod production
Disadvantages
Lack of all day sun (if there is such a thing in the UK)
Flower Drop off due to lower humidity
Smaller pot size due to windowsill restriction
Smaller plant sizes needed again for height restrictions
Growing Outdoors - Open Ground
Advantages
In the UK I don’t think there are any advantages in growing chilli plants in the ground
Disadvantages
Weather can be too severe so the plants need to time to harden off properly
Plants need time to spread their roots and establish themselves
Repeated bad weather can waterlog the soil causing growing delays
The UK Summer is just too short and unreliable for this to be a reliable way of growing chilli plants
Growing Outdoors Greenhouse/Tunnel
Advantages
Protection from High Wind & Rains
Stable growing environment prevents long periods of hardening off
Stable humidity pattern allowing good flower production
Extended growing season
Good Pod Production with flavour and heat
Disadvantages
Ideal environment for insects so increased chance of infestation
Growing Season is on the clock, starts after last frost of Spring and ends with the first frost of Autumn
Plant Types
Some chilli plants will grow happily in different conditions
Jalapeno, cayenne for example have travelled the world and have good strong genes built up to cope with different environments
Super hot chilli plants have for thousands of years grown and evolved in a certain climate which limits their gene pool to cope with extreme weather conditions
Caribbean weather vs. UK weather - no contest!
The more unstable the weather will be in your growing area the less pods and less heat you will get from the superhots
Wild chilli plants again suffer with the same problem from differing environments
For a novice, try growing well established types of chilli plants first, and when you have an understanding you can venture out into the world of chillies