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How to select and prepare for chillies

Variety of chilli plants.
Chillies are one of the easiest ways to spice up the flavour of any dish. They’re also good for you, triggering a release of endorphins and dopamine which create a euphoric feeling. These popular and versatile plants are easy to grow at home. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the right chilli for you and find the perfect spot for growing them.

What are chillies?

A chilli is a versatile fruit of the Capsicum genus, popular for its varying degrees of spiciness. It originates from the Americas and is widely used in kitchens and restaurants to add mouth-watering, fiery flavour. From subtly sweet to intensely spicy, there’s a chilli plant for every taste.

Chillies are easy to grow and make a great addition to any home garden. Because they’re so adaptable, they’re a favourite among gardeners, growing well in the ground or in pots. You can grow chillies on your windowsill, in your vegie patch or use them as an edible addition to an ornamental garden.

Green and Purple chilli plant.

Types of chillies

Chillies can be differentiated by their flavour, heat intensity and appearance, ranging in colours from vivid red to green, orange, yellow and purple. Choose a variety of chilli that will best complement what you like to cook, whether it’s mild chillies to mix into your favourite salads and stir-fries, to roasted Chipotle chillies for a spicy chutney.

Various varieties of chilli plants, including Cayenne, Jalapeno, and Capsicum.

The best place to plant chillies

Most chillies thrive in warm and sunny conditions. Make sure you choose an area that provides enough sunlight throughout the day and doesn’t get too much shade.

Sun

Chillies are warm-season plants that love heat and sunlight. They need around six to eight hours of daily sunlight to flourish and prefer a consistent watering schedule. In terms of temperature, between 21 to 32 degrees Celsius is the sweet spot. The heat promotes the robust development of flowers and fruits, making sure you get the healthiest and most flavourful chillies possible. 

Plant in outdoor plant pot.

Soil

Chilli plants love well-aerated, nutrient-rich soil with excellent drainage. Aim for that perfect pH balance between 6.0 to 6.8. (You can check this with a soil testing kit.) If you need to adjust the soil pH, simply mix in some organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure, water the area well and wait for a few days before checking the pH again.

Once you’ve achieved the perfect pH, it’s time to pop in your chilli plants and leave them to grow. The extra nutrients will help your chillies grow strong roots and leaves, as well as plenty of delicious chillies for you to harvest.

Adding soil in a transparent glass pot.

Tip: Avoid planting chillies in the same location or pot for two consecutive seasons to prevent potential soil-borne issues and nutrient depletion, which would negatively affect your yield.

Ready to get started?

Learn how to plant and propagate chillies.

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.